The top item of dairy product expenditure in French households Cheese purchases account for total annual expenditure of Euro 6.8 billion, making it the top item of dairy product expenditure in French households. Cheese represents 40% of dairy product purchases and 7% of the budget for food. 95% of French people eat cheese at least once a week and it ends off two meals out of three. This situation explains the share of total turnover represented by cheese sales, in hyper and supermarkets - 3.1% compared with 2.3% for fresh produce and 1.1% for washing powder. Cheese yearly consumption in (kg/hab)

United States : 12,3 U.K : 8,3 Benelux : 17,7 France : 24,5 Portugal : 8 Spain : 8,1 Finland : 14,5 Norway : 13,9 Sweden : 16,9 Denmark : 15,4 Germany : 18,5 Switzerland : 15 Italy : 20,1 Japan : 1,4

A substantial market in Europe and the rest of the world The cheese market has enjoyed considerable growth in Europe. Per capita cheese consumption (kg. per person) has increased by 30% over the last ten years. France remains the largest consumer with 23 kg. per year (14 kg. in 1970), ahead of Italy (18.6 kg.), Germany (18.5 kg.) and Benelux (17.7 kg.). However, there are considerable disparities worldwide with an average annual consumption of 12.3 kg. per person in the USA but only 1.4 kg. in Japan. On the other hand growth trends follow similar patterns in these countries and the potential for development is considerable. Europe represents one third of the world market for cheese, with 5.7 million tonnes manufactured every year. 50% of exported French dairy produce is cheese, equivalent to Euro 1.5 billion. This performance is explained by consumers' growing interest in cheese and, on a global level, for French cheese with its distinctive flavours, not to mention the positive image of French cooking and our established skills and know-how.