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France's foie gras producers unfazed by China's rise

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • France's foie gras producers are not worried about China becoming the world's leading producer, despite China's rapid growth in the industry.
  • China's foie gras production primarily uses geese and targets its domestic market, while France predominantly uses ducks and exports 20% of its production.
  • French producers note that making foie gras from geese is significantly more challenging than from ducks, a key difference in production methods.

France's foie gras industry remains confident in its global leadership despite China's rapid expansion in production. While China has emerged as the world's second-largest producer, French industry officials state they are not concerned about losing their dominant position.

Fabien Chevalier, president of the French foie gras industry association CIFOG, expressed surprise at China's development speed over the past two years. He noted that China produced an estimated 12,000 tons of foie gras in 2024, with production increasing in 2025. This figure is substantial compared to France's projected 15,000 tons for 2025.

Currently, we are not worried about China replacing France as the world's leading foie gras producer.

— Fabien ChevalierPresident of the French foie gras industry association CIFOG, commenting on China's growing production.

A key difference lies in the production methods. Chinese producers primarily use geese, whereas French and other European producers predominantly use ducks. Chevalier highlighted that producing foie gras from geese is considerably more difficult than from ducks. Chinese foie gras, often weighing up to two kilograms, is mainly for domestic consumption, with less than 5% expected to be exported by 2025. In contrast, French foie gras, typically from ducks and weighing around 700 grams, sees 20% of its production exported.

France's export market has seen shifts, with Japan, previously its largest market, imposing a ban in 2023 due to avian flu vaccination issues. Exports to China, which resumed last year after a suspension since 2021 due to avian flu, are currently around 10 tons annually, a decrease from three to four times that amount before 2021.

We find it truly surprising because making foie gras from geese is much more difficult than from ducks.

— Fabien ChevalierCIFOG president explaining a key difference in production methods between China and France.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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