This agreement aims to strengthen synergies between France's leading agri-food port and the world's largest fresh produce market.
By leveraging two strategic infrastructures for the French economy, this partnership intends to contribute to strengthening national food sovereignty by promoting the transit and processing of goods through French ports. The objective is to sustainably secure the supply chains of the Rungis Market and reduce dependence on foreign ports, while creating more value on national territory.
This cooperation will notably result in the creation of a Rungis-Dunkirk agrilogistics hub, dedicated to logistics, processing and enhancement of food products. Drawing on both the port's significant land reserves and the recognised expertise of both platforms, this project aims to attract new investments, strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and consolidate the strategic role of Rungis and Dunkirk within the French and European agri-food chain.
This dynamic builds on an ecosystem already firmly established in Dunkirk, with the presence of leading logistics operators in the agri-food sector. The future hub will be located within the Dunkerque Logistique International zone (DLI), labelled 'Choose France', which has more than 350,000 m² dedicated to the development of logistics and agri-food activities. Benefiting from immediate proximity to container and cross-Channel terminals, it will enjoy a strategic position at the heart of major maritime trade flows. This new platform will help strengthen the added value generated at the port while facilitating access to the French market and major European markets, thus meeting the growing demands for performance, reliability and decarbonisation of supply chains.
Beyond the economic and logistical benefits, this project reflects the shared ambition of both partners to build a more efficient, more resilient and more sustainable agri-food supply chain, while strengthening French food sovereignty.
To bring this vision to life, the agreement is structured around four major areas of cooperation.
1/ Establishing a first-class agri-food logistics hub, through the implementation of joint commercial prospecting and communication actions, as well as networking, with the aim of creating a dynamic continuum of businesses between Dunkerque-Port and the Rungis Market. This network will strengthen the resilience of the chain, directly benefiting all Rungis Market operators and consumers in the Ile-de-France region.
2/ Optimising operational efficiency and traceability, through the development of strengthened partnerships on phytosanitary and customs controls, in order to significantly reduce door-to-door transit times while guaranteeing the highest level of food safety.
3/ Accelerating transport decarbonisation, through improving the environmental footprint of the supply chain by promoting shorter and lower-emission routes, as well as actively studying the development of a direct rail link between the Port of Dunkirk and the Rungis Market, coupled with support for fleet electrification.
4/ Joining an international network of agri-food hubs, with the promotion and creation of new direct maritime links between Dunkerque-Port and other major global hubs, particularly those supported internationally by Semmaris.
Stéphane Layani, President of the Rungis International Market, said:
“Through this strategic alliance with Dunkerque-Port, Semmaris, manager of the Rungis International Market, reaffirms its public service mission at the heart of the territories. By uniting the world's largest fresh produce market with this major maritime gateway, we are working to build an exemplary logistics corridor. This is a concrete response to the economic ambitions of our operators and a further step towards an ambitious environmental transition, ensuring both better decarbonisation of our flows and the food sovereignty of our country.”
Maurice Georges, Chairman of the Executive Board of Dunkerque-Port, added:
“The Port of Dunkirk is not merely a gateway for food products. It has established itself as a benchmark hub thanks to the expertise of its entire port community, the commitment of handling companies, and the presence of major operators in the sector. With the Rungis Market, we are today uniting the know-how of two essential platforms to create new development opportunities and strengthen our country's food sovereignty.”
Patrice Vergriete, President of the Dunkirk Urban Community and Mayor of Dunkirk, added:
“The Port of Dunkirk has, over the years, diversified its activities to become an undeniable benchmark in agri-food. It still has considerable development potential, driven by modern infrastructure and a strategic geographical position at the heart of major European trade flows.
“This partnership with the Rungis Market is fully in line with this dynamic. It reflects our shared determination to make Dunkirk an essential link in the French agri-food chain, capable of combining logistics performance, decarbonisation and food sovereignty.”
