Corn grain volume produced in France 2021-2022, by use

Brought to the attention of the West by Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century, corn is now present on all five continents through thousands of varieties. It is the most cultivated cereal on the planet. During the 2021-2022 crop year, France produced around 14.3 million tons of corn. The largest share of the production, around five million tons, was exported to countries within the European Union, while around 0.6 million tons were exported to the rest of the world.

French corn: beyond borders

The third-largest crop in France after soft wheat and barley, corn accounts for over 20 percent of the nation’s cereal production. With the help of suitable soil and favorable weather conditions, combined with the performance of local producers, French corn remains a safe bet, both in terms of quality and quantity. As a result, it is the second most-exported grain in the country, which has become an established source of supply for its European neighbors. Additionally, French corn has also established itself on the global stage: almost four percent of the total corn exports worldwide originates from France.

The green side of corn

Used for biodegradable plastics and biofuel, there definitely is an environmental-friendly aspect to this grain. What is more, one hectare of corn produces around four times more oxygen than one hectare of forest and absorbs four times more carbon dioxide. To reach its adult size (up to 3 meters in France), corn absorbs important quantities of nitrates, thus supporting the cleanup of the soil. Additionally, as it decomposes after the harvest, it traps carbon in the earth and helps limit the greenhouse effect. Overall, corn appears as a crop very much in line with the environmental expectations of today's consumers.