The organic wine market in France is steadily increasing in size and importance. According to a consumer survey carried out in France by market-research specialist company IPSOS in 2013, one in three people polled indicated regularly or occasionally drinking organic wine. The industry turnover in 2012 stood at €413 million overall (up 15% in one year). Export sales — to countries such as Germany, Japan and the USA, among others — have risen and, at €58 million, now represent 19% of the turnover of the organic-food-and-drink sector.
The prime distribution channel for organic wine is direct sales (36%), followed by retail outlets specializing in organic products (27%), mass-retail food stores (19%) and, finally, small shops (17%). Meanwhile, France had a 6 percent increase in land area devoted to organic wine production between 2011 and 2012, and land in organic wine growing in France has almost tripled over a four-year period. The three leading French regions are Languedoc-Roussillon (51 acres, up 4% in one year), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (36 acres, up 8%) and Aquitaine (24 acres, up 3%).
Worldwide, France is in second place — behind Spain and ahead of Italy — in terms of the size of its organic-winegrowing sector.
