France is a prime location for arboriculture, offering a diversity of climates and terroirs suitable for a wide range of fruit production. Whether you are a professional looking to expand, an entrepreneur planning a new farming operation or an investor, the market for selling tree-growing farms is dynamic and varied.
French arboriculture stands out for the richness of its sectors. There are, of course, the major classic crops: orchards of apple trees (apples being the most consumed fruit in France), pear trees, or plum trees (notably for the production of Agen prunes). Southern France, thanks to its sunshine, is the preferred area for apricot trees, cherry trees, peach trees, as well as for developing an olive grove in Provence or Occitanie. Other more specific crops, such as walnut trees in Dauphiné or Périgord, hazelnut trees, kiwifruit (particularly in the southwest) and even citrus fruits (lemons, clementines) in Corsica or on the French Riviera, complete this picture.
However, acquiring a fruit farm is not just about buying land. It means acquiring a technical working tool. A high-performing operation often requires specific facilities to secure the harvest. The presence of hail nets (against hail) or frost protection systems (wind machines, sprinklers, orchard heaters) is a major asset in enhancing the value of a fruit-growing parcel. Likewise, water management is crucial: the presence of irrigated hectares and an efficient drip irrigation system is often essential to ensure stable yields in the face of climate change.
Beyond the planted plots, the buyer must pay particular attention to the farm buildings. A spacious storage shed to house orchard equipment (orchard tractors, sprayers, pruning platforms), a grading and packing facility to sort and pack the fruit, and above all a cold room for storage are facilities that significantly increase the value of a farm.
Lastly, the trend toward organic farming is very strong in this sector. An already converted organic orchard represents an attractive opportunity, meeting a growing demand from consumers for healthy, environmentally friendly products.
Starting an orchard purchase or the takeover of a fruit farm is a project that requires thorough analysis. The first criterion is agronomic: the quality of the farmland and access to water. It is essential to check whether the land consists of irrigable plots and whether water rights are valid, as arboriculture is highly sensitive to water stress.
The age and sanitary condition of the fruit trees are also crucial. An orchard at the end of its life will require substantial investment for new plantings and a non-productive period before the first significant harvest. It is therefore important to study the farm’s historical yield per hectare to assess its immediate profitability. The diversity of fruit varieties planted is also a key factor: it helps spread out workloads (pruning, harvesting) and secures income by avoiding dependence on a single variety.
The business model of the fruit farm for sale must be carefully examined. Is the operation geared towards wholesale (cooperatives, wholesalers) or towards direct sales and short supply chains? Direct sales often require more labour and reception facilities, but offer better margins. Some farms also combine arboriculture with market gardening to diversify the range offered at the farm shop.
Financing such an acquisition includes the purchase of land, equipment and buildings, as well as working capital requirements, which are particularly high in arboriculture where growing costs are incurred several months before sale. Banks will pay close attention to the buyer’s technical skills, the presence of marketing contracts and the protection of the orchard against weather hazards (insurance or protective equipment). Trellising of trees, for example, is a sign of modernization that facilitates mechanization and harvesting.
Ma-propriete.fr has developed specific tools to make it easier for you to find a fruit farm for sale. Our advanced search engine allows you to filter listings according to your specific criteria. You can select the “Arboriculture / Orchard” sub-category, define the location (region, department), the area in hectares (to find a small parcel or a large estate) and your budget.
To make sure you don’t miss any orchard purchase opportunities, we recommend that you create personalised email alerts. As soon as a new listing matching your criteria (such as an organic orchard or a property with a cold room) is published, you are informed immediately.
Transparency is at the heart of our service. Each listing details the property’s characteristics: presence of apple trees, walnut trees or kiwifruit, types of equipment (**grading and packing facility**, irrigation), and often data on agronomic potential. In addition, ma-propriete.fr enables you to get in direct contact with the seller, whether a private owner, notary or specialized real estate agent. The geolocation of listings (depending on the seller’s choice) helps you place the property in its economic and climatic environment, a key factor in the success of your new farming operation project.
If you are an owner wishing to sell your tree-growing farm, ma-propriete.fr is the reference portal to showcase your property. With a large number of monthly visitors focused on the rural and agricultural market, we offer you maximum visibility among serious French and international buyers.
Our platform is designed to highlight the technical features of your operation. You can describe your facilities in detail (hail nets, frost protection, orchard equipment) and your crops (pear trees, apricot trees, citrus fruits, etc.). The user-friendly nature of our ad submission interface allows you to create an attractive presentation with high-quality photos and comprehensive descriptions.
We know that discretion is sometimes necessary when transferring a business. That’s why we let you choose the level of geolocation of your listing: exact address, town, or simply department/region, enabling you to control confidentiality with respect to neighbours and employees.
Beyond visibility on our site, your listing is also widely distributed. It can appear in several relevant categories (Agriculture, Real Estate, etc.) and is shared on our social networks and dedicated Facebook groups, thus reaching an active community of professionals and enthusiasts looking for a fruit farm or fruit-growing land to operate.
In addition to connecting buyers and sellers, ma-propriete.fr supports you at every stage of your land project thanks to an ecosystem of dedicated services:
Whether you are looking to take over a hazelnut plantation or sell an olive grove, ma-propriete.fr is your preferred partner to make your agricultural project a reality.
