Full Breakdown
Rungis Market Chief Outlines the Future of France’s Food Supply Chain
9/9/2026, 7:58:40 PM
Overview of the Interview
In a recent episode of France 24’s “Entre Nous,” host Delano D’Souza sat down with Stéphane Layani, the chief executive of the Rungis wholesale food market and chairman of the World Union of Wholesale Markets. Layani discussed the challenges and opportunities facing France’s food system and offered his outlook on how the sector will evolve in the coming years.
Rungis Market and Global Role
Rungis, located on the outskirts of Paris, is described as the largest wholesale food market in Europe. It serves as a central hub for the distribution of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other foodstuffs to retailers, restaurants, and institutions across France. Through his leadership of the World Union of Wholesale Markets, Layani emphasizes the market’s influence on international supply-chain standards and its capacity to model sustainable practices for other wholesale hubs worldwide.
Layani’s Vision for France’s Food System
Layani argues that France must adapt its food supply chain to address rising consumer demand for traceability, environmental sustainability, and resilience against disruptions. He highlights three priority areas: modernizing logistics to reduce waste, integrating digital tools for better inventory management, and fostering closer collaboration between producers and distributors to shorten farm-to-table timelines. According to Layani, these steps will help secure a stable food supply while reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.
Publication of *Le Monde a faim*
Earlier this year, Layani released the book *Le Monde a faim* (“The World is Hungry”). The work expands on the themes raised in the interview, examining global hunger trends and proposing that efficient wholesale markets can play a pivotal role in feeding growing populations.
Implications for Global Food Security
Layani’s perspective suggests that reforms within France’s largest market could have ripple effects beyond national borders. By championing more transparent and efficient supply chains, the Rungis model may offer a template for other countries seeking to balance food accessibility with environmental stewardship, thereby contributing to broader efforts to alleviate worldwide hunger.
