Agri-Food Trade Between 1992 and 2002,

Abstract

The long phase of increasing agri-food exports came to an end during the 1990s. However, Frances weakened position was not just the simple consequence of the CAP reforms and the gradual liberalisation of world trade. Frances decreasing market shares resulted from increased competition from Germany and Spain, and from traditional exporters (Australia, Brazil) or new exporters (Russia, Ukraine, Thailand) from outside the EU. Excluding drinks, the surplus had more than halved between the start of the 1990s and the middle of the 2000s. Frances prospects on the world markets seem to have been weakened because of its concentration on products where the price remains or becomes the competitive criterion, whether they are less processed products (cereals, sugar, poultry meat), or more processed products, such as wine. Conversely, the improved performance of second transformation agri-food products, particularly the gains made on the EU market during 1992, are strengthening Frances positions.Agrifood Trade, Market Share, Agricultural Policy