Sub-Saharan Africa has become the largest African destination for French agricultural exports, overtaking North Africa in a shift that highlights changing trade dynamics across the continent and the growing importance of African consumer markets.

According to data published by France’s Ministry of Agriculture and FranceAgriMer, exports of French agricultural products to Sub-Saharan Africa reached €2.2 billion in 2025, representing a 2% increase from the previous year. In contrast, exports to North Africa fell by 13% to €1.9 billion, allowing Sub-Saharan Africa to emerge as France’s largest agricultural market on the continent for only the second time since 2009.

Changing Trade Patterns Reshape African Markets

The growth in Sub-Saharan Africa elevated the region to France’s fourth-largest agricultural export destination globally, behind only North America, North Asia, and East Asia and Oceania. The trend reflects rising food demand, expanding economies and increasing agricultural imports across several African countries.

A major factor behind North Africa’s decline was a sharp reduction in imports from Algeria. French exporters reportedly shipped no soft wheat to Algeria during 2025, compared with average annual exports of approximately two million tonnes between 2020 and 2024. The decline has been linked to diplomatic tensions and Algeria’s growing reliance on grain suppliers from the Black Sea region, particularly Russia.

The reduction in Algerian imports also affected France’s dairy exports, with shipments of skimmed milk powder falling sharply after Algeria had previously accounted for a significant share of French dairy exports outside the European Union.

Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal Lead Demand

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Côte d’Ivoire remained France’s largest agricultural export market. Imports of French agricultural, food-processing, wood and biodiesel products increased by 13% to €509 million in 2025, accounting for nearly one-quarter of French agricultural exports to the region.

French cereal exports to Côte d’Ivoire also recorded strong growth, reflecting rising demand from one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies. France maintained its position as the country’s leading supplier of dairy products despite increasing competition from international exporters.

Senegal ranked as the second-largest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, importing agricultural products worth €264 million during the year. Meanwhile, Southern African countries collectively imported approximately €642 million worth of French agricultural products, with South Africa, Mauritius and Madagascar among the leading destinations.

Morocco Strengthens Position in North Africa

While overall imports into North Africa declined, Morocco increased purchases of French agricultural products as drought conditions boosted demand for imported cereals. French wheat exports to Morocco rose by approximately 27%, while barley exports recorded even stronger growth. Total agricultural imports from France reached €1.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 8% compared with the previous year.

Growing Importance of Sub-Saharan Markets

The shift underscores the increasing significance of Sub-Saharan Africa in global agricultural trade. Rising populations, urbanisation, expanding middle-class consumption and changing food demand patterns are driving greater imports of cereals, dairy products and processed foods across the region.

For French exporters, the development reflects a strategic reorientation toward rapidly growing African economies, while traditional trade relationships in North Africa continue to evolve due to geopolitical, economic and climate-related factors.

As African markets continue to expand, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping global agricultural trade flows and international food supply chains.