From Vineyards to Almond Groves: France’s New Crop

From Vineyards to Almond Groves: How French Winegrowers Are Reinventing Themselves

As the French wine industry struggles with climate pressures and falling consumption, a growing number of vintners are betting on a surprising alternative — almond trees. Once a hallmark of Provence, the almond is making a comeback, offering farmers both economic and environmental hope.

A Crop Rooted in History

In the rolling hills of southern France, several winegrowers are replanting almond trees where vines once stood. For many, it’s not just diversification — it’s a return to heritage.

A century ago, Provence was the world capital of almonds, supplying pâtissiers and nougat makers across Europe. Yet, after repeated frosts and the arrival of hardier crops, the almond industry nearly vanished.

Now, new research and climate shifts are turning the tide once more. Modern varieties bloom later and resist spring frosts, making almond cultivation viable even in regions like the Var and Lot-et-Garonne.

The Crisis in the Vineyards

France’s wine industry has faced intense challenges in recent years:

Severe droughts and spring frosts linked to climate change
A marked drop in wine consumption at home and abroad
Geopolitical tensions hitting exports
Surplus production leading to EU-funded vine pull-ups

In late 2025, the French government launched a €130 million plan to help struggling winegrowers remove unprofitable vines permanently. For many, switching to almonds provides a sustainable path forward without abandoning the land they love.

Almonds: A High-Demand, Low-Supply Bet

Despite being a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, France produces only about 1,000 tonnes of almonds per year, while national consumption exceeds 45,000 tonnes. Most are imported from Spain and California — regions facing their own water stress and environmental issues.

Enterprising farmers like Cédric Seimandi from Aix-en-Provence see an opportunity:

“Only about 2% of the almonds eaten in France are local,” he says. “Consumers want healthy, local food — there’s room for a French almond market.”

A Sector Taking Shape

To meet this new demand, large cooperatives and family businesses are investing heavily.

La Compagnie des Amandes, co-founded by former minister Arnaud Montebourg, operates 230 hectares of almond orchards and opened a new processing plant in Brignoles (Var) in 2025.
Escoute, a family firm from Lot-et-Garonne best known for its Agen prunes, has shifted toward almonds, partnering with 30 farmers and planting 150 hectares.

“The almond offers both resilience and profitability,” says Gilles Vergnes, Escoute’s director. “With the warming climate, prunes are becoming a risky bet — almonds could be the future.”

Adapting to a Changing Climate

Almonds thrive in the same sun-drenched regions where vines used to dominate, but they are less demanding in water and more resistant to disease. However, they remain sensitive to frost. To adapt, farmers are:

Planting at higher altitudes (above 180 m) to avoid frost pockets
Choosing late-blooming varieties developed through French agricultural research
Using new irrigation methods and soil management strategies to conserve water

The Taste of Renewal

For growers like Seimandi, almond farming isn’t just about economics — it’s personal.

“A century ago, Aix-en-Provence was the capital of the almond. The calissons and nougats are part of that legacy,” he says. “Now we’re bringing it back.”

This agricultural shift could reshape southern France’s landscape, mixing the vines of tradition with the blossoms of renewal — and once again, putting French almonds back on the map.

Key Takeaway

From Provence to the Lot-et-Garonne, almond trees are becoming the new symbol of resilience in rural France — a smart, sustainable response to climate and economic change.