Insee Première · April 2023 · n° 1942

65% of enterprises with 50 or more employees experienced difficulties in their value chains in 2020

Between 2018 and 2020, 1.7% of enterprises with 50 or more employees in the mainly non-agricultural market sectors established in France offshored one or more activities. Specialised, scientific and technical activities and manufacturing were the sectors most affected. Europe was the primary destination for relocating (preferred by 72% of offshoring companies), ahead of China and India, chosen by 23%. Enterprises moved functions abroad primarily to reduce labour costs.

In 2020, about half of all enterprises purchased goods abroad.

In the same year, almost two-thirds of enterprises reported difficulties in their value chains due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first being difficulties in acquiring raw materials or intermediate goods and cancellations or reductions in customer orders.

Furthermore, between 2018 and 2020, 1.7% of enterprises have moved back functions from abroad or considered it, mainly to reduce delivery times for their customers.