France fares well

French exports of liquid milk and fresh milk products in 1997 increased by 20 million tonnes on the previous year to 830 million tonnes. Around 60% of the exports went to Italy, while other main importers of French fresh milk products included the Benelux countries (16%) and Spain (11%).
Bulk sales still make up the majority of this trade, although retail-packaged products are increasing steadily and now represent some 21% of exports in this sector, with 88% of pre-packed goods sold to neighbouring EU states.
In financial terms, total exports of all milk and milk products from France in 1997 rose 4% on the year to F28,600 million (US$4,670m), 73% of this coming from EU neighbours. French dairy exports within Europe are thought to have risen by 6.6% on the year.
A stable trade in the two last years was achieved by French cheese exports (472,000 tonnes) and imports (150,000 tonnes) of cheese into France. The biggest increase in French dairy sales abroad featured the conserved milk and milk powder sector with a 15% growth in exports to an estimated 450,000 tonnes.
Leading French processors were among the most active exporters. Besnier, for example, achieved 35% of total turnover from exports in the 1997 financial year. Its sales abroad brought in F9,977 million (US$1.630m), a 12% rise on the year. Meanwhile, cheese specialist Bel earned 60% of turnover in 1997 from exports worth F5,573m (US$910m).