The French dairy industry remains a cornerstone of the national economy and European agriculture. With its strong heritage in milk, cheese, butter and yoghurts, the sector continues to combine tradition with modern innovation.

The most recent figures from the L’économie laitière en chiffres – Édition 2025 published by CNIEL highlight both the resilience of the industry and the structural challenges it faces.

Production: stable volumes, shifting dynamics

In 2024, French milk collection stood at 23 billion litres, broadly stable after a slight dip in 2023. The number of dairy farms continues to decline, but productivity per cow has risen, thanks to improvements in genetics and herd management. Organic milk remains a bright spot, with nearly 1.2 billion litres delivered nationwide in 2024, though volumes have eased compared with the 2022 peak.

The allocation of milk into different product streams shows France’s traditional strengths. More than a third of milk collected is transformed into cheese, which accounts for 36.2% of national milk utilisation. Creams, yoghurts, milk powders and butter make up most of the remainder. This emphasis underlines cheese’s emblematic role, both culturally and commercially, within the French dairy sector.

Prices and profitability

After a sharp rise in farmgate prices in 2022, stabilisation followed. The national average stood at €461 per 1,000 litres in 2024. While this represents a solid return compared with earlier years, regional disparities remain: producers in Brittany averaged €469, while those in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes benefitted from €567. These price dynamics reflect both market demand and differences in production structures.

Industrial price indices also confirm resilience. By 2024, the index for dairy and cheese products had reached 127.5 (base 100 = 2021), highlighting sustained value despite fluctuating international markets.

Exports: a global presence

France is the world’s second-largest cheese exporter, and dairy exports overall continue to generate strong trade surpluses. In 2024, dairy and milk-based products brought in more than €11.2 billion in export revenues. Cheese is the flagship: sales abroad were worth nearly €4 billion in 2024. Other growth segments include butter and specialised milk powders for infant nutrition.

The EU remains France’s primary outlet, with Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy as leading partners. But extra-European markets are increasingly strategic. China, the United States and Algeria are among the top destinations, demonstrating the global appetite for French dairy expertise.

Domestic consumption patterns

Despite shifts in dietary preferences, French households remain faithful to dairy. Supermarket purchases in 2024 totalled more than €14 billion, with cheese representing the largest share at €8.5 billion. Foodservice demand has also stabilised, particularly for cheese and fresh dairy desserts. These figures confirm the sector’s cultural and economic weight on the domestic market.

Showcasing dairy on the world stage

In a context of both stability and transformation, international visibility is essential. SIAL Paris has established itself as a unique meeting place for the global food industry, and the dairy sector is a key part of the show. At its last edition, 480 dairy exhibitors participated, of which 84% came from outside France. Leading names such as Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Lactalis International, Friesland-Campina, Granarolo and the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium stood alongside a host of innovative SMEs.

The event offers an unrivalled opportunity to reach a global audience, benefit from strong media coverage and highlight product innovation. Whether in traditional cheese specialities, high-value dairy ingredients or new consumer formats, the show remains a springboard for visibility and growth.

As the sector navigates evolving consumer expectations, sustainability goals and international competition, remaining visible to buyers and partners is more important than ever. The next edition of SIAL Paris will take place from 17 to 21 October 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte. For dairy producers and brands, exhibiting offers not just exposure, but a strategic investment in international development.

Image credit: Polina Kovaleva


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