Exporting to France
Introduction
Guide
France is one of the UK's largest export markets and a major global economy. In easy reach of the UK, it offers many export opportunities for businesses offering innovative, quality products.
France was the fifth largest export market for Northern Ireland (3.8% of Northern Ireland exports) and the seventh largest import market for Northern Ireland (3.4% of Northern Ireland imports) for goods in 2024 (HMRC regional trade statistics).
The top ten exports from Northern Ireland to France in 2024 were:
- Machinery & transport equipment (£129.6m)
- Miscellaneous manufactured articles (£124.6m)
- Food & live animals (£96.2m)
- Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (£26.3m)
- Chemicals & related products (£23.4m)
- Beverages & tobacco (£7.8m)
- Crude materials (£6.6m)
- Mineral fuels (£4.4m)
- Animal & vegetable oils (£93k)
- Commodities/transactions not classified elsewhere in the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) (£36k)
This guide highlights the advantages and challenges of exporting to France, the benefits of dual market access, the sectoral opportunities in France and the support available for exporting to France.