Milk powder market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French milk powder market volume showed moderate fluctuations between 156.8 thousand tons and 165.8 thousand tons from 2018 to 2020. A sharp expansion occurred in 2021, when volume leaped to 222.8 thousand tons, and it subsequently stabilized at a high level of around 220-225 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023.

The 2021 surge was primarily driven by a global rise in demand for skim milk powder, fueled by increasing health consciousness, higher incomes, and demographic growth. This worldwide trend directly boosted the French market. Furthermore, the 2020 European regulation mandating precise DHA content in infant milk prompted manufacturers to update their formulations, stimulating demand in the key infant nutrition segment.

Market dynamics in the following years were shaped by major dairy companies investing in new spray-drying capacity to meet demand, and by the launch of innovative products such as lactose-free milk powder by Arla Foods. The emergence of an organic and fair-trade milk powder supply chain in France also diversified the market offering.

Production milk powder in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, France ranked as the 5th largest producer of milk powder during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

Milk powder production in France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 424.5 K t of milk powder, which represents a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 405.6 K t, with the largest decline of 15.1% also occurring in that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

France's milk powder production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output of milk powder was valued at 1 321 M $ US in France, marking a significant rise of 26.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 909 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 27.1%.

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

Exports milk powder from France

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, foreign milk powder supplies from France declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 340.5 K t, showing only a marginal fluctuation from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 341.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of milk powder from France in kind were distributed across many countries. Algeria accounted for 12.8% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 10.9%, and China for 7.7%, with these three countries together representing only 31.4% of total flows.

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

Milk powder deliveries from France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France exported 1 060 M $ US of milk powder, representing a substantial rise of 21.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 30.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 704 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 13.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Algeria accounted for 12.1% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands for 9.7%, and China for 9.0%, with these three countries together representing only 30.9% of total flows. A long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 69.1%.

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

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

Imports milk powder to France

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, imported milk powder volumes to France declined. In 2020, imports reached 73.4 K t, representing a 15.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 87.2 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany—together accounted for 73.0% of total imports in kind of milk powder to France.

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 milk powder imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 234 M $ US, equivalent to a small rise of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 31.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands accounted for 25.1% of imports in value terms, Germany for 24.5%, and Belgium for 22.7%, with these three countries together representing 72.3% of total imports in value terms, remaining the main sources for milk powder to France.

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

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