Food

1st region of Metropolitain France (in terms of its share of added value)

63 % of the region’s territory eligible for a quality label

1competitiveness cluster, supported by clusters and platforms

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté offers a favorable environment for the development of sustainable food projects, thanks to its dynamic economic network, specialized stakeholders, and commitment to innovation.

To support this ambition, the region relies on a strategic network of stakeholders structured around Vitagora, a competitiveness cluster dedicated to sustainable food, which deploys two complementary service offerings: FoodTech® and the Living Lab. This framework also includes AgrOnov, a cluster specializing in agroecology, as well as BFC Participations, an equity investment tool dedicated to agri-food industries.

The strategy translates into concrete actions:

• Reduce the use of synthetic inputs
• Offer healthy and nutritious food that respects taste
• Develop local and sustainable food chains
• Co-create innovations according to consumer needs

 Sustainable food at the heart of the innovation strategy (smart specialization strategy: RIS3) of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region

Download the complete brochure on the food sector

All detailed information on the food sector and its ecosystem gathered in a single document.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté relies on historic expertise that forms the DNA of its territory, from agriculture to agri-food industries, including products recognized by quality and origin labels.

By mobilizing its research centers, technological platforms, and industrial skills, the region structures a complete value chain serving sustainable food.

Agroecology -> Agricultural equipment -> Agri-food -> Microbial ecosystems -> Nutrition and health -> Testing and instrumentation -> Packaging -> Consumers

In this value chain, microbial ecosystems represent a key link, at the crossroads of agroecology, food processing through fermentation, and nutrition and health challenges.

Learn more about microbial ecosystems

A powerful and diversified agriculture

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is a territory with a strong agricultural identity, where agriculture occupies a central position thanks to its vast land area and the size of its dedicated working population.

Key figures:

• 23,600 agricultural businesses
• 50,500 jobs

Rich in a wide diversity of sub-sectors, it benefits from national and international recognition, notably with dairy cows, beef cows, other specialist breeding farms, mixed crops/mixed livestock farming, arable crops, and vineyards.

Dynamic agri-food industries

The agri-food sector in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté relies on a diversified and innovative business network, combining tradition and excellence. It directly contributes to the competitiveness and attractiveness of the region, while benefiting from specialized infrastructure to support innovation and development.

Key figures:

• 800 business (excluding wholesale trade and artisan food businesses e.g. butchers, bakers)
• 22,300 jobs (including 2,500 temporary workers)

The represented sectors cover dairy production, meat processing and preservation, production of meat products, production of other food products, production of breads, pastries and pasta, beverage production, animal feed production, and grain processing.

 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté stands out through the richness and recognition of its production with 140 AOC/PDO/PGI certifications:

• Wines and other alcoholic drinks: 101 PDOs, 10 PGIs
• Meats: 3 PDOs, 8 PGIs
• Dairy products: 11 PDOs, 5 PGIs
• Groceries: 1 AOPs, 1 IGPs

These labels guarantee the origin, expertise, and quality of regional products, contributing to the excellence and renown of the sector.