France has an undeniably deep love for food, and it is no coincidence that foreigners rave about our passion for fine food and creativity.
Indeed, we are addicted to exquisite tasting food, which we adore sharing with the world. Unesco has even registered "French fine food" as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This may raise a smile, but it's backed by a strong gastronomic reputation. We here at Business France promote France's economic image to an international audience. So as to build foreign investment and partnerships, we naturally showcase the agro-food industry, highlighting creativity and performance from innovative companies and their products, but also industry analysis and figures.
Here are just a few. The French agro-food industry, comprised of 17,600 companies (90 percent of which are micro-businesses and SMEs), is one of the pillars of France's exports. It is the largest French exporter, shipping $64 billion (€60 billion) worth of goods in 2015, and in balance of trade, it ranks third with a $9.76 billion (€9.1 billion) surplus (2014 data), just trailing the aeronautical and pharmaceutical sectors. And as food goes hand in hand with packaging, France is the third largest exporter of packaging material, two-thirds of which is used for food.
While these figures reflect the industry's good health, other items underline the fact that there is a French food model that is firmly rooted on a wide selection of products from a diverse agricultural heritage combined with an innovative industry that is adept at satisfying new consumer food demands. The Paris International Food Show was dreamed up and created by the French and after 50 successful years, it is now the leading food innovation event. There are 7,000 exhibitors from 100+ countries and this year, 600 innovative products and ideas will be unveiled. Rungis, the largest fresh produce market in the world, is an example of this innovation. The company is now exporting its model and expertise, and it has been taken up in China and Russia.
France is blessed by an unmatched reputation and know-how in food. It is renowned for the top quality and diversity of its offering. It is world class in its capacity to combine innovation with tradition, and this will grow in the future given that food is certainly an issue that grips society. Today we eat well and we eat better, rather than just eating to live.
The French agro-food industry needs to rise to numerous challenges, including meeting demand for new consumer tastes and needs, while also keeping an eye on food safety concerns, the predicted population growth and the need to protect the environment. While justified, they point to future food. By opening new fields, these challenges give French companies a chance to shine and demonstrate their boundless capacity to innovate. Smart French food has arrived.
We know, for example, that world demand for proteins will soar 40 percent by 2030, and French food companies are getting creative as to how to fill this demand. For instance, French company Micronutris manages Europe's largest insect production plant. Roquette, another French company, has opened its first center for growing micro-algae. We know that niche foodstuffs (to meet demand for specific foods or nutrition) are on the increase.
With the French Institute of Agronomic Research (Institut national de la recherche agronomique) and the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), France boasts world-renowned food research. But what attitude should we adopt towards the worldwide digital revolution that is transforming how societies live and eat? All observers agree that France is best placed to become a FoodTech champion. France is one of the top five countries for the food industry and startups today, meaning there is no shortage of ideas when it comes to improving the food supply chain.
At every step in the food supply chain, including new production methods, collaboration and shopping, France leads the way. By matching eating habits with innovation, France confirms she is gearing up for a challenge to give people pleasure and win over the world.