The cheese market and cheese dairies - France

The French cheese market showcases a modest growth, largely attributed to the impact of the pandemic and market innovations. France maintains a positive export balance with 1.6 times more cheese exports than imports in 2021, mainly to Germany (23%), Belgium (14%), and the UK (8%). The global cheese market, valued at over US$ 72 billion in 2020, is predicted to reach US$ 106 billion by 2026 with a CAGR of 5.37%.

In France, cow's milk cheeses dominate national production (91.7%), while organic and PDO cheese segments experience growth in response to consumer demand for quality and environmental responsibility. Sales of organic cheeses increased by 13% in value and 11.4% in volume in 2020. The French market's resilience is partly due to a shift towards domestic consumption amidst reduced catering industry activity during the Covid-19 crisis, with cheese production in France only experiencing a 1.8% decrease in 2020.

French Cheese Market: Demand Trends and Consumer

Preferences In France, renowned as the "country of cheese," the market for this beloved product is vast and diverse, catering to both local and global tastes. French consumers exhibit a strong inclination toward cheese, with consumption surpassing 25 kilograms per person annually. One remarkable aspect is the steady growth in demand, with household consumption witnessing an uptick by approximately 12% between 2017 and 2020. This surge can be attributed to the pandemic's influence on eating habits and the continuous innovations within the cheese industry. Interestingly, the French display a preference for certain types of cheeses. Cooked pressed cheeses like Comté lead the pack in purchase value, followed closely by uncooked pressed and soft cheeses. This affinity suggests that cow's milk cheeses are particularly favored, with goat's milk varieties trailing behind.

Consumption patterns also vary with age, as those between 50 and 64 years old, along with seniors over 65, are the primary consumers of cheese, indicative of traditional dining habits where cheese often concludes a meal. Consumer demand is also progressively shifting toward organic cheeses. Sales for these products have seen significant growth, with organic goat cheeses enjoying over a 30% jump in purchases.

This trend underscores a broader societal pivot toward organic food products, although price remains a barrier for some consumers. In the cheese market's commercial space, large French brands dominate, with key players like Lactalis, Bel, and Savencia Fromage & Dairy accounting for a sizable market share in supermarket sales. These conglomerates, alongside private labels carrying significant turnover, underscore a highly concentrated market structure. It's worth noting that these major brands are involved in the majority of supermarket cheese sales.

Overall, French demand for cheese continues to flourish, driven by a rich heritage, evolving consumer trends, and a market responsive to the call for innovative and organic offerings. With the cheese market's strong footing and the adaptability of major brands to changing consumer preferences, the French cheese industry exhibits a dynamic and resilient character.

Profiling the Key Players in the French Cheese Market

The French cheese market is characterized by a strong presence of well-established companies that stand out for their significant market share, diversified product offerings, and influential positioning in both domestic and international arenas. Here's an overview of the major players contributing robustly to the French cheese landscape:

• Lactalis Group - A giant in the dairy industry, Lactalis boasts a remarkable international presence. It is not only a key player in France but has also stamped its identity across the globe. Famed for its vast array of cheese products, which include popular brands as Président, Lactalis remains at the forefront of cheese innovation, catering to both traditional cheese lovers and modern consumer trends.
  
  
• Savencia Cheese & Dairy Foodservice - Previously known as Bongrain, Savencia is another titan in the French cheese market. The company has a substantial foothold in specialty cheeses with a special focus on the foodservice sector. With a strategy emphasizing quality and innovation, Savencia Cheese & Dairy has launched products like St Môret Ideal Dessert, highlighting its commitment to healthier and organic cheese variants.
  
  
• Groupe Bel - The Groupe Bel is renowned for its approachable and family-friendly cheese products. With iconic brands like La Vache qui Rit, Mini Babybel, and Boursin, Bel has a solid presence in the cheese snack segment, appealing to a wide range of consumers. Their products are synonymous with convenience and are a staple in many households worldwide.
  
  
• Carrefour  - Aside from being one of the largest supermarket chains, Carrefour also dominates a significant portion of private label cheese sales. The Carrefour brand is synonymous with accessibility and variety, offering consumers a vast selection of cheese at competitive prices. This strategy has garnered Carrefour a loyal customer base and a strong position in the cheese retail segment.
  
  
• Franprix and Casino Group - As part of the Casino Group, Franprix also offers a competitive range of private label cheese products. The brand has leveraged its retail expertise to meet consumer demand for quality cheeses at affordable prices, ensuring their stores are a one-stop destination for a variety of cheese choices.
  
  
• Auchan Retail  - With a robust cheese selection under its belt, Auchan Retail has carved out a significant chunk of the market share through its private label offerings. The Auchan brand emphasizes quality and value for money, drawing in consumers with a blend of artisanal and industrial cheese products.
  
  
• La Cloche à fromage : a name that resonates with authenticity.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 02/11/2022

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• World cheese market value
• Turnover before tax - cheese production
• Household consumption of cheese
• Percentage of the population consuming cheese daily by age
• Régularité de la consommation de fromage
• Achats de fromages en fonction des régions
• The favorite cheeses of the French
• Comparison of the level of appreciation of 6 cheese brands according to age category
• Comparison of the level of appreciation of 9 cheese brands according to the CSP
• Main origins of cheese imports
• Main destinations of cheese exports
• Coverage rate of the cheese trade
• Cheese distribution by circuit
• Répartition des ventes en valeur par canal de distribution
• Evolution des prix au kilo par canal de distribution
• Cheese production by type of milk
• Cheese production by type of cheese
• Evolution du prix moyen du fromage dans la grande distribution (hors EDMP)
• Prix moyen de différents fromages
• Evolution of the budget spent on organic food products over the last 12 months
• Ventes de produits bio issus de la catégorie "crèmerie et œufs"
• Cheese production
• Market share in the cheese sector in supermarkets
• Consommation de camembert et de mozzarella
• Pays destinataires des exportations de fromages
• Répartition des fromages selon la consommation
• Répartition des fromages consommés selon le type de lait
• Evolution des achats par catégorie de fromages
• Taux de pénétration de différents fromages
• Volumes achetés en fonction du mois