France is one of the world’s largest economies and a major trading partner for many countries. It imports a wide range of goods and services from different regions and sectors, reflecting its diversified and sophisticated demand. According to France Trade Data, France imported goods worth $696 billion in 2021, making it the fifth-largest importer in the world. But what are the main products that France imports and where do they come from? Here is a list of the top 10 imports of France based on their value and share in total imports.
1. Cars
Cars are the most valuable import category for France, accounting for $40.3 billion or 5.8% of its total imports in 2021. France is a major producer of cars, but it also relies on imports to meet its domestic demand and supply its automotive industry with parts and components. Germany is the main source of car imports for France, followed by Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Japan.
2. Refined Petroleum
Refined petroleum is the second-largest import category for France, with a value of $23.1 billion or 3.3% of its total imports in 2021. France is a net importer of petroleum products, as it consumes more than it produces. It imports refined petroleum mainly from Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy.
3. Petroleum Gas
Petroleum gas is another important import category for France, with a value of $22.5 billion or 3.2% of its total imports in 2021. Petroleum gas is used for heating, cooking, electricity generation, and industrial processes. France imports petroleum gas mainly from Norway, Russia, Algeria, Qatar, and Nigeria.
4. Packaged Medicaments
Packaged medicaments are the fourth-largest import category for France, with a value of $19.6 billion or 2.8% of its total imports in 2021. Packaged medicaments include pharmaceutical products such as drugs, vaccines, and medical devices. France imports packaged medicaments mainly from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland.
5. Crude Petroleum
Crude petroleum is the fifth-largest import category for France, with a value of $16.1 billion or 2.3% of its total imports in 2021. Crude petroleum is the raw material for refining into various petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants. France imports crude petroleum mainly from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria.
6. Machinery including computers
Machinery including computers is the sixth-largest import category for France, with a value of $84.7 billion or 12.2% of its total imports in 2021. This category includes various types of machinery and equipment such as engines, pumps, turbines, generators, computers, printers, and scanners. France imports machinery mainly from Germany, China, Italy, the United States, and the Netherlands.
7. Electrical machinery and equipment
Electrical machinery and equipment are the seventh-largest import category for France, with a value of $66.3 billion or 9.5% of its total imports in 2021. This category includes various types of electrical devices and appliances such as transformers, batteries, lamps, wires, cables, and televisions. As per France Import Data they import electrical machinery mainly from China, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the United States.
8. Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals are the eighth-largest import category for France, with a value of $32.4 billion or 4.7% of its total imports in 2021. This category includes chemical substances used for medical purposes such as antibiotics, hormones, vitamins, and antiseptics. France imports pharmaceuticals mainly from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United States, and Italy.
9. Plastics and plastic articles
Plastics and plastic articles are the ninth-largest import category for France, with a value of $30.4 billion or 4.4% of its total imports in 2021. This category includes various types of plastic materials and products such as films, sheets, tubes, bags, containers, and toys. France imports plastics mainly from Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and China.
10. Optical, technical, and medical apparatus
Optical, technical, and medical apparatus are the tenth-largest import category for France, with a value of $22.5 billion or 3.2% of its total imports in 2021. This category includes various types of optical, technical, and medical devices and instruments such as lenses, cameras, microscopes, spectacles, hearing aids, and pacemakers. France imports optical, technical, and medical apparatus mainly from Germany, the United States, China, Switzerland, and Japan.
Conclusion
France is a major importer of a wide range of goods and services from different regions and sectors. Its top 10 imports in 2021 were cars, refined petroleum, petroleum gas, packaged medicaments, crude petroleum, machinery including computers, electrical machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics and plastic articles, and optical, technical, and medical apparatus. These imports reflect France’s diversified and sophisticated demand as well as its integration into the global economy.
