France: Cheese Market 2025

Cheese Market Size in France

The French cheese market expanded notably to $X in 2021, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Cheese Production in France

In value terms, cheese production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.7%. Cheese production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cheese Exports

Exports from France

In 2021, shipments abroad of cheese increased by 1.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cheese exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of cheese exports from France, with a combined 43% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cheese exported from France were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined 45% share of total exports. Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, the United States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +6.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cheese export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 6.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cheese Imports

Imports into France

For the fifth consecutive year, France recorded growth in overseas purchases of cheese, which increased by 26% to X tons in 2021. In general, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +83.7% against 2012 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cheese imports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +62.9% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 15%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of cheese imports to France, together comprising 61% of total imports. Belgium, the UK, Spain, Ireland and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest cheese suppliers to France, with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, the UK, Spain, Ireland and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 21%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +13.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average cheese import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -9.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 9.5% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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