French Cheese Industry Generates Over €47 Billion Annually
The French dairy industry, a significant component of the national economy, produced 23.281 million liters of cow's milk in 2023, with a collection rate of 97.8%. By 2024, this figure rose to 23.0 billion liters, illustrating growth for the second consecutive year. Additionally, France produced 709 million liters of goat's milk and 328 million liters of sheep's milk in 2023.
The number of dairy farms in France has decreased significantly from 120,406 in 2000 to 44,242 in 2023, indicating a shift towards larger-scale operations. The average number of cows per farm has doubled over this period, from 35.9 to 71.5, with an increase in average milk delivery per farm from 187,700 liters to 514,400 liters.
Cheese production remains the most valuable segment of the dairy industry. In 2024, France produced 1.8 million tonnes of cheeses and milk specialties, excluding processed cheeses. Fresh cheeses lead in volume, followed by soft cheeses like brie and camembert with 397,000 tonnes, cooked pressed cheeses like comté and emmental with 340,000 tonnes, and uncooked pressed cheeses such as raclette and cantal.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses represent a significant economic factor, with 175,309 tonnes produced in 2023, led by comté at 62,700 tonnes. Total dairy products with geographical indications, including cheeses, butters, and creams, reached 272,236 tonnes in 2024, generating over €3 billion in revenue.
The French dairy sector employed 93,803 people in 2022 and exported products worth €12.16 billion. Major companies such as Lactalis, Danone, and Sodiaal dominate the global dairy market. Lactalis, headquartered in Laval, is the largest dairy company globally, with operations in 51 countries and an annual revenue exceeding $30 billion.
The expertise in cheese production in France is underscored by traditional techniques combined with industrial scale, contributing to the nation's cultural heritage and its recognition by UNESCO in 2010 as an intangible cultural heritage.
