France: Regional livestock and pork sector report 2023

In 2023, agricultural production fell in value terms in eight out of thirteen metropolitan regions. The decline is most marked in Île-de-France and Centre-Val de loire. On the other hand, the value of agricultural production increased in Pays de la loire, Bretagne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Auvergne-Rhône- Alpes, and Corsica. Regions specializing in cereal production saw the biggest drop in production, due to lower cereal prices (after high prices in 2022). Conversely, livestock-oriented regions benefitted from price rises, for example in milk, beef, and pork production.

The value of crop production fell (- 5.8%), while that of animal production slowed but continued to rise (+ 4.9%). The value of production of services increased by 2.3%.

Pig farming

• Production and prices: Pig production volume fell by 4.0% in all regions except Grand Est. However, prices rose by 21.0% on average, due to reduced European supply. In Brittany, the main pork-producing region, volume fell by 3.4%, but prices rose by 22.3%, leading to an increase in the value of pig production in almost all regions except Corsica.
• Economic impact: Higher prices offset lower volumes resulting in an increase in the total value of pig production. This has helped sustain the economies of livestock-producing regions, despite climatic challenges and fluctuations in international markets.

General livestock production

• Overall, livestock production rose by 4.9% in value, despite a 1.8% drop in volume. Price rises more than offset the drop in volumes, with price increases ranging from 3.3% in Normandy to 9.7% in Brittany.