Raw materials

• There is a rich supply of raw materials available locally.
• The textile industry owed its development to  raw materials such as wool from sheep reared in the Ile de France.
• Many of the textile industries have closed in recent years due to competition from lower cost producers in South East Asia.
• Car manufacturers such as Renault and Citroen  have located in the region due to the presence of iron and steel produced locally and in the nearby Nord region.
• The Paris Basin’s temperate climate, lowland relief and fertile soils support a wide variety of agricultural activity.
• The abundance of local produce has allowed a range of food processing industries to thrive.
• Temperatures are mild (2 to 19 degrees) and rarely fall below 0 which would affect cereal growth.
• Mild temperatures have allowed milling and baking industries to establish in the region, mainly for the Paris market.
• Near the coast a more maritime climate occurs, weather is wetter which allows dairy farming to occur.
• Areas such as Brie produce Brie cheese and butter for the Paris market.
• The Danone company is located in Normandy, it produces yoghurt using the milk produced in the region’s dairy farms. This area is  also famous for its Camembert Cheese.
• Apples grown in Normand support a well established cider industry, while rapeseed grown to north of Paris is used in the production of edible oils and bio-diesel.
• The Dry Champagne region has high temperatures in summer, particularly on south facing slopes on escarpments in east and south east, allowing the viticulture industry to develop.
• Champagne is originally from this region and was developed by the Benedictine monks.