French market
The cheese market and cheese dairies in France
The cheese market in France can be segmented into two main categories:

- Study last updated
- Price
- €99 excl. VAT
- Written by industry experts
- Data unavailable to general-purpose AI
- Press sources
Intelligent search
Sectoria
Explore the Businesscoot corpus to take your study further.
The Businesscoot team
A question about this study?Market overview
Identify industry dynamics, opportunities and market participants to inform your project.
- Understand the market scope
- Identify demand drivers
- Understand market participants and their challenges
The cheese market in France can be segmented into two main categories:
Natural cheese, made from natural, fresh and high quality ingredients;
Processed cheese, made from natural cheese to which emulsifiers (two insoluble liquids), sodium citrate, calcium phosphate, sorbic acid (preservative), enzymes, etc. are added.sodium citrate, calcium phosphate, enzymes, vitamin D3, milk fat, extra salt, saturated vegetable oils, whey and artificial food coloring are added.
Processed cheese has a longer shelf life than natural cheese in cheese shops and supermarkets. With nearly 400 types listed, France is the country of cheese par excellence in the world.
Cheese manufacturing is a concentrated sector dominated by a handful of players, such as Bel or Entremont for example (1/3 of the French cheese market). The other major players in the market are either family-owned groups (Bongrain specializing in milk processing), cooperative groups, or dairy producers such as Lactalis.
The French are among the leading consumers of cheese in the world with more than 25 kg/inhabitant per year. The development of mass distribution to the detriment of local shops has weakened the artisanal products sold in local cheese factories and the majority of the cheese marketed is now industrially produced. This has favored the emergence of new players such as Carrefour in the distribution and production of private label cheese. The harmonization of sanitary rules imposed by Brussels is also a boon for industrial cheese.
In terms of foreign trade, the French trade balance is positive, the Hexagon exports in 2021 1.6 times more than it imports cheese. Its main export customers are Germany with 23% of total French exports, then Belgium (14%) and the United Kingdom (8%).
However, the volatility of world prices for industrial dairy products weakens the profitability of manufacturers: to counter these economic hazards and gain market share manufacturers rely on innovation (new formats, packaging) and communication (huge advertising budgets).
Study contents
Chapters connecting customer needs, advisory services and the economics of industry professionals.
- Understand customers and uses
- Connect products, businesses and distribution channels
- Compare market participants and their models
Market overview
Analysis of the demand
Market structure
Analysis of the offer
Regulation
Positioning of the actors
Our expertise
Sources to support your analysis
Base your analysis on identified sources, with clear dates and definitions for each figure.
- Understand the scope of the data
- Find the cited publications
- Compare perspectives on the market
Produced by experts — Analysis backed by 35 years of experience in professional information. Our experts select sources, cross-check data and explain the issues shaping your market.
Beyond AI — Professional sources and expert analysis that go beyond ChatGPT or Claude answers based solely on the public web.
IndexPresse press database — Professional press articles covering market news, business strategies and industry developments. All articles are .
Open-access databases — Freely accessible data and publications to enrich the analysis and cross-check the information available on each market.
Official statistics databases — Economic and demographic indicators published by statistical agencies to measure trends and compare markets.
Specialist industry databases — Specialist data and reports to deepen your understanding of the players, segments and dynamics of each industry.
Trusted by professionals
Professionals share their experience of the clarity and usefulness of our studies and the Businesscoot service.
- Clear, structured analysis
- Insights for business projects
- Responsive customer service
As a business valuation expert, I need reliable strategic analysis of potential targets in their industries. For several years, I have relied on Businesscoot's industry analysis, where expertise and relevant data are essential.

David Jeanne
Managing director •
I am very satisfied with Businesscoot's market studies. The information is clear and well structured, making it easy to understand an industry's trends and key figures. Their catalogue is extensive and varied, and customer service is responsive. I recommend Businesscoot for reliable, accessible analysis.

Time Albouy
Business development expert •
Our team of industry experts
Talk to our team to check that the study's subject and scope match your project.
- Check the market scope
- Choose the right study for your project
- Ask a question before ordering

Guilhem Cournut
Food, retail and consumer goods

Denis Monnoyeur
Industry, energy and construction

Marie-Annick Cournède
Health, beauty and personal services

Arthur Lefeuvre
Digital, media and telecommunications
Related studies
Explore complementary studies to broaden your analysis.
- Explore related markets
- Compare market dynamics
- Refine your project
The cheese market and cheese dairies in Spain
Cheese is a milk-based culinary preparation widely consumed throughout the world. Cheese can be added to a variety of dishes, as a starter or main course, or eaten on its own before dessert. There are countless varieties of cheese, depending on the type of milk
The cheese market and cheese dairies in Italy
Cheese is a product derived from milk (whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed) following to acid or presamic or enzymatic coagulation of caseinogen. The milk used to produce cheese is obtained from animals raised within dairy farms.
The charcuterie market in France
The charcuterie market in France, consisting mainly of products such as ham, sausages and pâtés, is a mainstay of the agri-food sector. Recognized for its cultural roots and its essential role in the daily diet, charcuterie is divided into a variety of segments, including traditional

























