The cultivation of pomegranates continues to grow in France and growers want to join forces to promote this “emerging sector”. France Grenade was created in March 2023 and launched in April. This year, 2,000 tons are expected, and France Grenade expects production to reach 6,000 tons by 2026.
Today, France Grenade brings together about 40 producers, and in the long term, the union would like to see all French growers join, both organic and conventional. 200 producers cultivate pomegranates in France (95% of growers are organic) / © Bio de PACA
Promoting the pomegranate Made in France
“I lead a group of producers in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse regions, and we were exchanging ideas with another group based in the Var department,” explains Enora Jacob of Bio PACA. The association supports organic growers in their conversion to marketing. “The idea was to bring together producers from different regions and promote the French pomegranate. We currently have 40 member producers, both organic and conventional, and our aim is to bring together all French pomegranate producers.”
France Grenade also wants to communicate with consumers in order to encourage and boost consumption. The association is currently working on the creation of a common brand, which should be launched this winter, with more promotional events in the stores.
Today, the main pomegranate producing regions are Occitania, PACA and Ardèche / © Bio de PACA
An emerging sector
French pomegranate production has been increasing steadily. “Because of climate change, producers -especially fruit and wine growers - are looking to diversify. It is an emerging sector because, as Enora Jacob explains, “everything has yet to be built.” Sold fresh and as juice, the pomegranate processing sector is getting organized. “Fresh pomegranates and juices are sold for food consumption, but we are also developing the whole processing chain. Pomegranate seeds and skins are recovered for processing into oil and powder for use in cosmetics and dietary supplements.” Pomegranates are also transformed into vinegar, syrup and even molasses.
© L'Atelier d'Hippolyte
For more information:
Enora Jacob
Syndicat France Grenade
Bio de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Ferme de La Durette
556 Chemin des Semailles - Quartier Montfavet BP 21284
84 911 Avignon cedex 09
Phone: 07 56 92 22 57