French beverage exports to the United States rose 34% in the third quarter

French customs data for the third quarter of 2026 showed a sharp rebound in the country’s beverage exports to the United States, with sales rising 34% from a year earlier, or €223 million.

The figures, published by France’s customs service in its third-quarter foreign trade report, point to a stronger U.S. market for French beverage exporters after a weak period in 2025. But the recovery was only partial. Even with the year-over-year gain, exports of beverages to the United States remained below the levels recorded in 2023 and 2024.

That distinction matters for companies that sell wine, spirits, beer and other drinks in the U.S. market. The latest increase suggests conditions improved from a soft comparison base, but it does not yet show a full return to the stronger export levels seen before 2025. For producers and distributors, the data can help measure whether the U.S. market is stabilizing, while also warning against treating a rebound from a weak year as a complete recovery.

The customs report did not frame the increase as a return to earlier highs. Instead, the data show that the annual rise came after a weaker 2025, which amplified the pace of the rebound in year-over-year terms. That means the 34% gain reflects both stronger sales in the third quarter of 2026 and the effect of a lower base of comparison.

For France, the U.S. remains a key market for beverage exports, especially for higher-value products. A quarterly increase of this size is likely to draw close attention from exporters looking for signs that demand is firming in one of their most important overseas destinations. At the same time, the shortfall versus 2023 and 2024 suggests that volumes or values have not fully recovered to where they stood before the 2025 slowdown.

The third-quarter figures offer a more precise benchmark for the sector than a single headline growth rate. A 34% rise may look strong on its face, but the broader comparison shows that French beverage exporters are still rebuilding ground lost in the U.S. market. For businesses setting production, inventory and shipping plans, that difference may shape decisions going into the end of 2026.