France is experiencing unbearable heat! Sales of air conditioners and fans have surged by 1,000%, exceeding 3 units in a single day.

Trade temperatures in Europe are heating up after 72 provinces experienced extreme heat, affecting over 51 million people. Sales of fans and air conditioners surged to nearly 3 units in a single day, while inexpensive calcium powder for window coating is completely out of stock. Focus on light meals is driving rapid growth in salad greens and ice cream, presenting a golden opportunity for Thai exports.

29 June 2569 The Thai Trade Center in Paris, France, reported on the economic situation and consumer behavior in the French market following a major heatwave that affected 72 out of 96 provinces nationwide. This directly impacts the lives of up to 51.1 million people, or 73 percent of the total population of approximately 69.9 million.

These drastic climate factors have become a major catalyst for the exponential growth in demand for heat-management products and services across all categories, from food and beverages to electrical appliances and alternative products that help reduce indoor temperatures.

In the food and beverage sector, in-depth market research from Circana indicates a significant shift in consumer demand towards light, refreshing meals, replacing traditional consumption patterns. This resulted in a 51% increase in sales of fresh salads and a 42% growth in chilled soup sales. For beverages, flavored bottled water increased by 41%, sparkling mineral water by 39%, and alternative drinks such as beer mixed with lime soda and non-alcoholic beer also saw a 39% increase in sales.

Meanwhile, the ice cream market was one of the biggest beneficiaries, with scoop ice cream sales increasing by 52 percent and single-serving ice cream bars growing by 59 percent, reflecting strong consumption in the retail sector.

"During the week of June 15–21, the department store sold more than 2.5 million units of ice cream nationwide." Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard revealed record-breaking sales figures.

Furthermore, trends on social media platforms are playing a significant role in rapidly driving commerce, creating a phenomenon of increased demand for goods. "Cooler waist bag" The product, from the brand Picard, a specialist in frozen food, was normally priced at only €7.50 but sold out quickly, leading to a resale market where prices were inflated to €15–30, or 2–4 times the retail price.

The market for home appliances and refrigeration systems is the most competitive, with demand soaring by 110 percent compared to the same period last year, despite France experiencing extremely hot weather last year.

Air conditioners on the market range in price from 150 euros to a maximum of 12,000 euros, while fans remain the top choice for consumers due to their ease of installation. This frenzied buying spree resulted in major national retailer Carrefour recording sales of a combined 30,000 air conditioners and fans in a single day, a figure 1,000% higher than normal trading conditions.

Another interesting structural market issue is the shortage of self-reliant or low-cost home thermal insulation products. This occurred as consumers tried to limit energy costs. Blanc de Meudon, a natural calcium carbonate powder sold inexpensively for only 5–8 euros per kilogram, which is mixed with water and applied to windows to reflect heat radiation and reduce indoor temperatures by approximately 3–7 degrees Celsius, completely disappeared from shelves. Emergency reflective blankets were also bought up in bulk for installation on windows of homes, schools, and medical facilities as a temporary heat-reflective barrier.

Businesses related to outdoor activities and chemicals also saw similar growth, as accumulated indoor temperatures forced people to spend time in gardens or open spaces. This resulted in a 22% increase in sales of garden umbrellas, a 9.5% increase in barbecue fuel, and a 9.8% increase in prefabricated swimming pools. Meanwhile, sales of cosmetics and hygiene products, such as sunscreen, grew by a remarkable 76% during the two weeks in mid-June, and insect repellents expanded by 40%.

The Thai Trade Center in Paris assesses that the heatwaves in France and Europe have permanently driven and altered consumer purchasing behavior. Because the French government's current measures focus primarily on addressing immediate problems, it is likely that severe heat will recur this summer and next. This trend presents a significant strategic opportunity for Thai exporters, as the high-demand products in the French market are those in which Thailand has strong production capabilities. This is especially true for skincare products, sunscreens, insect repellents, and trendy online cosmetics, which Thai businesses can leverage to penetrate the European supply chain in the long term.

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