AROVELA
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European Union

Exporting Natural Products to France

France imported 3.01 million tonnes of processed fruit, vegetables and nuts in 2024 (€6.01 billion, +5%) and was the world's leading dried fig importer over 2020–2024, with Türkiye as its main supplier. Arovela supports B2B buyers from EU-compliant documentation to delivery at Marseille-Fos or Le Havre.

French Market Overview

France combines a large food-ingredient market with Europe's most demanding natural-cosmetics industry. Türkiye is one of France's largest essential oil suppliers (€29.9 million in 2024), and Rosa damascena from Türkiye and Bulgaria accounts for 64.3% of the global rose oil market. On the food side, France is a top-five destination for Turkish hazelnuts, a priority target market for Turkish olive oil (5,170 tonnes imported in the 2024–25 season) and honey, and the world's largest importer of dried figs (8,268 tonnes in 2024). Buyers increasingly ask for clean-beauty positioning, traceable origin and per-batch analytical documentation.

Key Product Categories

Dried Fruit
Essential Oils
Hazelnuts
Olive Oil
Botanical Extracts

Logistics & Shipping

RouteIzmir / Mersin → Marseille-Fos / Le Havre
Transit Time5–8 days (sea freight), 4–6 days (road)
IncotermsFOB, CIF, DAP, DDP

Required Certifications

ISO 22000

French Regulatory Framework

Food imports into France follow EU-wide rules on labeling, contaminants and pesticide residues, enforced nationally by the DGCCRF; essential oils destined for cosmetics additionally fall under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and CPNP notification.

Regulation
Scope
EU 1169/2011
Food labeling and allergen declaration (French-language particulars)
DGCCRF
French consumer protection and fraud control authority enforcing food law at import and in the market
EU 2023/915
Maximum levels for contaminants (aflatoxin, ochratoxin A) in dried fruit and nuts
EU MRL Regulation
Maximum residue levels for pesticides
Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
Essential oils used as cosmetic ingredients; CPNP notification by the EU responsible person

Türkiye–France Trade Advantages

1

Customs Union Access

Industrial goods move duty-free under the Türkiye–EU Customs Union, and agricultural products benefit from preferential quotas with an EUR.1 or origin declaration.

2

Essential Oil Supply Depth

Türkiye already ranks among France's largest essential oil suppliers, so French buyers find established GC-MS documentation, allergen data and consistent chemotype profiles.

3

Dried Fig Leadership

As the main supplier to the world's largest dried fig importer, Turkish Aegean figs arrive with a proven track record in French retail and industrial channels.

4

Mediterranean Logistics

Direct container services from Izmir and Mersin reach Marseille-Fos in 5–8 days, with road freight to Lyon and Paris in 4–6 days for time-sensitive orders.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — France Export

Which Turkish products have the strongest demand in France?

Dried figs (France is the world's number-one importer), hazelnuts, olive oil and essential oils for the natural-cosmetics industry. Türkiye supplied €29.9 million of essential oils to France in 2024.

What labeling rules apply to food shipped to France?

EU Regulation 1169/2011 applies: French-language mandatory particulars, allergen emphasis, nutrition declaration and lot marking. The DGCCRF enforces these rules at import and in the market. Arovela prepares French label texts and supporting documents.

Do essential oils need cosmetic registration in France?

Oils sold as cosmetic ingredients fall under Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. The finished product must be notified on the CPNP portal by the responsible person in the EU; Arovela supplies the GC-MS report, allergen data and safety documentation your formulator needs.

What is the typical transit time from Türkiye to France?

Sea freight from Izmir or Mersin to Marseille-Fos takes 5–8 days; road freight to Lyon or Paris takes 4–6 days. We quote FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP depending on your logistics setup.

Start Exporting to France

Request a quote covering DGCCRF-compliant French labeling, per-batch CoA and GC-MS reports, and delivery to Marseille-Fos, Le Havre or your warehouse.