Insee Première · October 2025 · n° 2074

22% of regional exports were concentrated in around a hundred establishments and showed strong geographic specificities

In 2022, French establishments exported 470 billion euros worth of goods. Of this total, 192 billion euros were regional exports, i.e. exports by companies conducting more than 80% of their business in a single French region. These exports were carried out by 97,000 establishments but were heavily concentrated in those that exported regularly. The main products exported were chemicals (including perfume), machinery and equipment, and agricultural products (cereals, wine). These exports reflected regional specialisations (wine in Gironde, aeronautical industry products in Occitanie, etc.). Île‑de‑France was the leading exporting region, accounting for 18% of regional exports. In total, 56% of regional exports were destined for European Union member countries. Geographical proximity favoured trade: regions exported primarily to neighbouring countries. Outside Europe, the United States and China were the main destinations. The health crisis and Brexit contributed to a decline in the United Kingdom's share of France's exports by value.