2. Structural characteristics of the French food industry

In its broadest definition, including the tobacco industry and the artisanal and commercial activities of charcuterie and bakery-pastry, the agrifood sector is France's leading industrial sector in terms of jobs and sales.

This sector is ahead of leading industrial activities such as :

• metalworking ;

• car manufacturing ;

• aeronautics.

It is France's leading manufacturing industry in terms of both sales and added value (17%). It makes a direct contribution of around 2.3% to France's GDP (representing almost 15% of manufacturing industry sales). At European level, the French food industry ranks 2nd behind Germany (in terms of sales). If we exclude the tobacco industry and the craft and commercial activities of charcuterie...