Market Trends of France Compound Feed Industry
High Export Potential for Animal-Based Food Products
France's robust livestock sector, advanced farming practices, and commitment to food safety and quality standards fuel its significant export potential for animal-based foods. As one of Europe's top exporters, France leads in dairy, poultry, beef, and processed meat products. The country's dairy industry, responsible for roughly 13% of the European Union's total drinking milk production, plays a pivotal role in driving export growth. In 2023, exports of milk and cream, both concentrated and non-concentrated, generated USD 2.03 billion for France. Notably, products such as cheese, butter, and milk powders stand out, with cheese and curd exports alone with USD 4.2 billion in 2023, as reported by the ITC Trade Map. Furthermore, butter exports from France saw an increase from USD 767.94 million in 2022 to USD 789.43 million in 2023, according to the same source.
Similarly, the poultry sector has witnessed growth in exports, driven by demand for high-quality, hormone-free chicken and processed poultry products. The beef sector has also capitalized on niche markets that value grass-fed and organic beef, aligning with France's reputation for premium animal-based foods. For instance, it was the largest producer of beef meat in the region which exported beef meat worth USD 1.11 billion in 2023 according to the ITC Trade Map. This export growth is a critical driver for the compound feed market in France. Among the feed types, those tailored for dairy cattle and broiler chickens have seen the highest demand, supported by rising exports of milk products and poultry meat. The livestock and poultry industries require high-quality, nutritionally optimized feed to maintain production levels and meet stringent quality standards demanded by international markets which is estimated to continue the demand for compound feed in the coming years.
Poultry is the Largest Animal Type Segment in the Market
The demand for meat is increasing rapidly due to growing awareness of its health benefits. Key factors influencing meat consumption include population growth, urbanization, demographics, income levels, prices, and environmental and health concerns. This trend is boosting the compound feed market. For instance, France is the second-largest producer of milk and sheep and goat meat in Europe, as well as the region's leading producer of beef. According to Eurostat, in 2023, France accounted for 11.5% of the European Union's total poultry meat production. Meat consumption patterns are shifting towards poultry, reflecting lower prices for lower-income consumers and a preference for white meats among higher-income groups, who perceive it as a healthier and more convenient option.
The increasing meat demand can be met by utilizing compound feed in livestock production systems. The composition of compound feed is crucial as it impacts the nutritional content of animal-derived products for human consumption. The compound feed market is evolving as modern methods are being adopted to increase production efficiency in animal husbandry systems. With new technologies and advanced supply chain management strategies, the compound feed industry is experiencing significant growth.
France's animal breeds are highly sought after internationally for meat and related products. According to ITC Trade Map, live animal exports increased from USD 2.55 billion in 2022 to USD 2.62 billion in 2023. Notably, poultry exports rose from USD 285.14 million in 2022 to USD 331.04 million in 2023. The growing consumer appetite for poultry meat is anticipated to drive production in France, positively impacting the compound feed market during the study period.
