International

In 2001, Finistère was responsible for a quarter of the imports and exports in the region. Agricultural and food products, electrical and electronic components and paper are among the most popular exports. The principal trading partners come from within the European Union, most notably Germany and the United Kingdom.

The list of leading exports in Cornouaille is a clear reflection of the particularities of the local economy. Agriculture and the food industry dominate the list with meat, poultry and fish as the basic products and paper also features strongly.

Fish-related industries are among the main importers, which would seem somewhat paradoxical in a coastal region. However, these industries, which process products such as salmon, obtain their supplies almost exclusively from outside sources. The fish canneries are similarly supplied.

The leading exporters based in Cornouaille in 2000

	Registered name Sector of activity Papeteries de Mauduit Wholesale semi-finished goods Etablissements Paul Paulet Fish Groupe Bigard Meat Bolloré Paper and cardboard Société pour la vente de thons congelés Wholesale fish and shellfish Fleetguard Machine manufacture Volaven Meat and poultry Papeteries de Cascadec Paper and cardboard Etablissements Piriou Ship building and repair

The leading exporters based in Cornouaille in 2000

	Registered name Sector of activity Etablissement Paul Paulet Fish Girex Pharmaceuticals Bolloré Energie Wholesale energy COBRENA achats Central food purchasing group PDM Industries Paper and cardboard Fleetguard Machine manufacture SA Armoric Fish Conserverie Wenceslas Chancerelle Fish Source: Regional Customs Board