Market research

Lactose and lactose syrup market in France

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The French market for lactose and lactose syrup began the period with strong growth, rising from 20,486 tonnes in 2018 to 28,734 tonnes in 2019. This initial expansion was supported by a slight increase in domestic milk production, which improved the availability of raw material for lactose processing.

Market volume experienced a temporary contraction in 2020 before entering a phase of steady recovery and growth through 2023, reaching 34,195 tonnes. This sustained increase was accompanied by rising import levels, reflecting consistent consumption demand throughout the period.

Market growth in 2023 was reinforced by specific industry developments. Product innovation and a widening range of offerings in the syrup segment contributed to higher value, alongside increased demand for liquid lactulose forms in pharmaceutical applications. The strategic landscape shifted with Carlsberg's acquisition of Britvic in 2024, marking a significant new entry into the syrup sector. Furthermore, a rebound in French milk production by 2024 provided a stable foundation for lactose output.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in France
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from France by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from France by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from France, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from France by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from France by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from France by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from France, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from France by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to France by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to France by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to France, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to France by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to France by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to France in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to France by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to France, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to France by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lactose and lactose syrup in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

France ranked 4th globally in lactose and lactose syrup production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

France's lactose and lactose syrup production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 43 430 tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 59.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.0%	26.5%	3.9%	16.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

France's lactose and lactose syrup production value also increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, production was valued at 44 664 thousand US dollars, up 24.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value grew by 81.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.2%	29.9%	24.6%	22.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from France

Exports in kind, t

France's lactose and lactose syrup exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 54 684 tonnes, a solid 20.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes rose by 60.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.4%	23.3%	20.3%	17.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France's lactose and lactose syrup exports in volume were widely distributed among partners. The Netherlands accounted for 16.3% of exports, Russia for 7.9%, and Belgium for 6.3%, together making up just 30.5% of total flows, with no single country dominating.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

France's lactose and lactose syrup export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 56 237 thousand US dollars, up 44.3% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 83.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.6%	26.6%	44.3%	22.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France's lactose and lactose syrup exports in value were not concentrated in a few key markets. The Netherlands accounted for 15.5% of export value, Russia for 7.3%, and Ireland for 6.5%, together representing only 29.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lactose and lactose syrup to France

Imports in kind, t

France's lactose and lactose syrup imports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 34 903 tonnes, up 7.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes increased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 311 tonnes, which marked a 22.5% decline from 2017. This was followed by a significant 33.2% increase in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.5%)	33.2%	7.8%	3.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands were the leading sources for France's lactose and lactose syrup imports in volume. Germany accounted for 40.0% of imports, Italy for 19.8%, and the Netherlands for 17.2%, together representing 77.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

France's lactose and lactose syrup import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 70 951 thousand US dollars, up 17.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 34.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	10.7%	17.8%	10.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark—accounted for 78.7% of France's lactose and lactose syrup imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io