Cheese from whole cow milk production in France
In 2023 France produced 1.7 million t of cheese from whole cow milk, the 3rd largest in the world (7.53% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 3.2%. The record was 1.8 million t in 2013.
- Production, 2023
- 1.7 million t
- World rank
- 3 of 95
- 10-year change
- −3.2%
- Record
- 1.8 million t
- 2013
Cheese from whole cow milk in France, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
France compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 7.5%
- 9.7% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −3.2%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 6,420,928 | 27.9% |
| 2 | Germany | 2,359,510 | 10.3% |
| 3 | France | 1,731,360 | 7.5% |
| 4 | Italy | 1,207,190 | 5.3% |
| 5 | Netherlands | 989,810 | 4.3% |
Map of world production of cheese from whole cow milk
Share of the world total; France is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,731,360 | −0.2% |
| 2022 | 1,735,080 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 1,698,270 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 1,683,420 | −2.7% |
| 2019 | 1,729,690 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 1,728,030 | −0.9% |
| 2017 | 1,744,500 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 1,743,550 | −2.2% |
| 2015 | 1,782,120 | −0.2% |
| 2014 | 1,785,430 | −0.2% |
| 2013 | 1,789,100 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 1,768,190 | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 1,765,090 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 1,759,470 | +4.0% |
| 2009 | 1,692,210 | −1.5% |
| 2008 | 1,718,800 | −0.5% |
| 2007 | 1,727,410 | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 1,689,000 | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 1,672,000 | −1.5% |
| 2004 | 1,698,000 | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 1,654,000 | −0.3% |
| 2002 | 1,659,000 | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 1,652,000 | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 1,606,000 | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 1,567,000 | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 1,550,000 | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 1,520,700 | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 1,497,000 | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 1,487,500 | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 1,466,200 | +2.1% |
| 1993 | 1,435,600 | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 1,410,600 | +0.9% |
| 1991 | 1,397,600 | +2.3% |
| 1990 | 1,366,300 | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 1,356,200 | +2.4% |
| 1988 | 1,324,800 | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 1,296,000 | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 1,260,000 | +1.3% |
| 1985 | 1,244,000 | +2.0% |
| 1984 | 1,220,000 | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 1,170,000 | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 1,142,000 | +2.9% |
| 1981 | 1,110,000 | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 1,074,000 | +2.2% |
| 1979 | 1,051,000 | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 1,003,000 | +4.7% |
| 1977 | 958,000 | +4.0% |
| 1976 | 921,000 | +3.4% |
| 1975 | 891,000 | +2.4% |
| 1974 | 870,000 | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 838,700 | +1.5% |
| 1972 | 826,300 | +5.9% |
| 1971 | 780,400 | +4.7% |
| 1970 | 745,400 | +7.1% |
| 1969 | 696,000 | +3.6% |
| 1968 | 672,000 | +5.0% |
| 1967 | 640,000 | +4.6% |
| 1966 | 612,000 | +5.7% |
| 1965 | 579,000 | +7.2% |
| 1964 | 540,000 | +8.7% |
| 1963 | 497,000 | +5.3% |
| 1962 | 472,000 | +5.6% |
| 1961 | 447,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 632,618 t USD 3.92 bn
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 123
- Imports
- 467,456 t USD 2.96 bn
- Importer rank
- 4 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of cheese from whole cow milk in France?
France produced 1.7 million t in 2023, 7.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does France rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
France ranked 3rd of 95 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 27.9% of the world total.
How has the production of cheese from whole cow milk in France changed?
It fell by 3.2% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. The record was 1.8 million t in 2013.
Does France export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 France reported exports of 632,618 t (USD 3.92 bn) and imports of 467,456 t (USD 2.96 bn), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.