Cheese and curd market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the French cheese and curd market volume underwent a major adjustment, falling from 4 300 thousand tons to around 1 450 thousand tons in 2019 and then moving within a narrow band of 1 438 to 1 516 thousand tons through 2022.

In 2023, market volume rose to 1 471 thousand tons, supported by a surge in imports which had grown 115% since 2016, boosting domestic availability. Simultaneously, a new generation of local artisans emerged, focusing on organic, non-GMO products, which began to compete with industrial giants and cater to growing consumer interest in high-quality, authentic cheeses.

By 2024, persistent inflation increased price sensitivity, pushing households toward private-label brands, while rising milk and cheese prices reflected tight supply and sustained demand. The market also saw continued growth in plant-based cheeses and a strengthening trend toward local, artisanal varieties, supported by gastronomic tourism and regulatory frameworks like PDO and PGI labels.

Production cheese and curd in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's leading producers of cheese and curd from 2017 to 2020, ranking 4th globally by production volume.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Production volumes varied 2.6 times, with the lowest point in 2020 at 1 750 K t and the peak in 2018 at 4 610 K t. In 2020, production remained virtually unchanged from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 62.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 132.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over these years. The value of cheese and curd output reached its lowest point in 2019 at 9 042 M $ US and peaked in 2018 at 24 507 M $ US, showing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, output was valued at 9 974 M $ US, representing a 10.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 63.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 144.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's exports of cheese and curd declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 657.5 K t, which was a 3.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 689.2 K t, with the largest increase that year at 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France traded cheese and curd with numerous countries. The top destinations—Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom—together accounted for only 44.2% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France's cheese and curd exports totaled 3 747 M $ US, marking a modest 6.6% increase year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were notable buyers of French cheese and curd in value terms, with shares of 23.1%, 13.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 46.0% of total exports, indicating a diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from France in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's imports of cheese and curd increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 402.7 K t, a modest 5.9% rise from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 15.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany formed the core group of suppliers for France's cheese and curd imports in volume terms, with shares of 26.9%, 21.2%, and 20.3%, respectively. Together, they represented 68.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

France's cheese and curd imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, with a total value that rose by 14.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany accounted for the largest shares of France's cheese and curd imports in value terms, with 32.1%, 20.5%, and 16.0%, respectively. Together, they comprised 68.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to France in value, 2017-2020