French agricultural production, with a value of approximately 57,5 billion Euros in 2004, is the 1st productor in the European Union. France’s share of the European production is nearly 23%, whereas the German and Italian shares are 15% of the European total. France is the first European producer of cereals, sugar beet, cattle, poultry and wine. It is also the first exporter in the world of processed foods.

In 2003, 875 200 people declared being actively engaged in agriculture as part-time or full-time workers. The agro business sector, generally composed by SMEs is the 2nd employer of the country. In the world, France is the 2nd exporter behind the USA.

According to Ofimer (national interprofessional office of sea products and aquaculture), The turnover of maritime fisheries exceeded 1,7 billion Euros corresponding to a production of 854 600 tons of fish, crustaceans and other sea foods. France, like its European partners, suffers a structural commercial deficit as production does not meet national demand as a result of the reduction in the catch.