France's meat sector is premium-focused, with poultry, pork, and beef key, valued for regional specialties. Production ~5.5 million tonnes annually, revenue US$49.71 billion in 2025, growing 2.83% CAGR.
Production In 2023, poultry 1.53 million tonnes, pork ~2 million tonnes, beef 1.4 million tonnes, holding 20.7% EU beef, 18.4% sheepmeat. 2025 stable, bovine herd 16.5 million head. In addition, France has the greatest diversity of farm animals in Europe with 164 different breeds (sheep, cattle, horses, goats).
Exports and Consumption Strong exports, imports for beef. Per capita consumption 83 kg (carcass), down 6% since 2003, 45.7 kg retail 2025. Volume toward 3.20 billion kg by 2030.
Relative to Population Population 66.7 million 2025. Per capita production ~82 kg, consumption ~83 kg, near self-sufficiency.
Suckler cattle farms in France are on average modest in size, with 64% of farms holding between 5 and 50 cows. (France AgriMer 2024). In addition, France has the greatest diversity of farm animals in Europe with 164 different breeds (sheep, cattle, horses, goats).
However, there are fewer and fewer farms in France. Between 2010 and 2020, France saw the disappearance of one in five farms. With 389,000 farms listed in 2020, 100,000 farms have disappeared (Agriculture census, 2020).
Farms specializing in breeding are those whose numbers are shrinking the most, in parallel with the increase in surface area. Between 2010 and 2020, their number decreased by 31% (- 64,000). The drop is even more marked among farms combining several types of livestock, such as cattle combining milk and meat production (- 41%) or among farms combining crops and livestock (- 41% also).
Les élevages de bovins allaitants en France sont en moyenne de taille modeste, avec 64% des élevages qui détiennent entre 5 et 50 vaches. (France AgriMer 2024). De plus, la France comprend la plus grande diversité d’animaux d’élevage en Europe avec 164 races différentes (ovin, bovin, équin, caprin).
Cependant, il y a de moins en moins de fermes en France. Entre 2010 et 2020, l’Hexagone a vu disparaître une exploitation sur cinq. Avec 389.000 fermes recensées en 2020, 100.000 exploitations ont disparu (Recensement agricole, 2020).
Les exploitations spécialisées en élevage sont celles dont les effectifs se réduisent le plus, en parallèle de l’accroissement des surfaces. Entre 2010 et 2020, leur nombre diminue de 31 % (- 64 000). La baisse est encore plus marquée parmi les exploitations combinant plusieurs types d'élevages, tels ceux de bovins conjuguant production de lait et de viande (- 41 %) ou parmi les fermes associant cultures et élevages (- 41 % également).
Ministere de L’Agriculture et de L’Alimentation Government policy on agriculture, agrifood industries, forestry and timber, marine fisheries and aquaculture is prepared and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
La politique du Gouvernement concernant l’agriculture, les industries agroalimentaires, la forêt et le bois, les pêches maritimes et l’aquaculture est préparée et mise en œuvre par le ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation. https://agriculture.gouv.fr/
INTERBEV INTERBEV is the National Interprofessional Association of Livestock and Meat, founded in 1979 on the initiative of organizations representing the livestock and meat sector.
INTERBEV est l’Association Nationale Interprofessionnelle du Bétail et des Viandes, fondée en 1979 à l’initiative des organisations représentatives de la filière bétail et viandes. https://www.interbev.fr/
l'Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture (INRAE) INRAE is the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment stemming from the merger in 2020 of two leading research organisations: INRA (National Institute for Agronomical Research) and IRSTEA (National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture). INRAE has as its mission to carry out excellent science in order to provide innovative solutions addressing global challenges, notably climate change, biodiversity and food security while at the same time enabling the much needed agroecological, nutritional and energy transitions. This research also serves policy making from regional to international levels, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
L'INRAE est l'Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement issu de la fusion en 2020 de deux organismes de recherche de premier plan : l'INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) et l'IRSTEA (Institut National de la Recherche en Sciences et Technologies pour l'Environnement et l'Agriculture). L'INRAE a pour mission de mettre en œuvre une science d'excellence afin d'apporter des solutions innovantes aux défis mondiaux, notamment le changement climatique, la biodiversité et la sécurité alimentaire, tout en permettant les transitions agroécologiques, nutritionnelles et énergétiques indispensables. Cette recherche sert également à l'élaboration des politiques du niveau régional au niveau international, contribuant ainsi aux objectifs de développement durable. https://www.inrae.fr/
IDELE IDELE is an applied research and transfer institute dealing with cattle, sheep, goats and equine farming. It is a non-profit, non-governmental RandD organization appointed by the French ministry of agriculture as technical center for agriculture (member of ITA network). It is managed by the professional livestock federations and was created in 1961. It aims to improve the competitiveness of herbivore farming and related value chains, while considering the diversity of national territories and livestock systems. RandD activities generate technical solutions to cattle, sheep, goat and equine livestock farmers, to value chains economic actors, complying with social issues such as animal welfare, traceability, environmental footprint.
IDELE est un institut de recherche appliquée et de transfert traitant de l'élevage bovin, ovin, caprin et équin. Il s'agit d'une organisation non gouvernementale de RandD à but non lucratif désignée par le ministère français de l'agriculture comme centre technique pour l'agriculture (membre du réseau ITA). Il est géré par les fédérations professionnelles de l'élevage et a été créé en 1961. Il vise à améliorer la compétitivité des élevages herbivores et des filières associées, tout en tenant compte de la diversité des territoires nationaux et des systèmes d'élevage. Les activités de RandD génèrent des solutions techniques aux éleveurs bovins, ovins, caprins et équins, aux acteurs économiques des chaînes de valeur, respectant les enjeux sociétaux tels que le bien-être animal, la traçabilité, l'empreinte environnementale. http://idele.fr/
Conducts research on animal health, zoonoses, and food safety, providing scientific support for livestock disease control and biosecurity. www.anses.fr/en
A leading veterinary school researching livestock health, epidemiology, and welfare, supporting industry with scientific advancements. www.vet-alfort.fr
Focuses on RandD for poultry and aquaculture, studying production systems, welfare, and sustainability for poultry meat and eggs. www.itavi.asso.fr
The national interprofessional organization for cattle and sheep, promoting beef, veal, and lamb production, sustainability, and market standards. www.interbev.fr
Represents livestock farmers across cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, advocating for policy, welfare, and economic support for producers. www.confederationpaysanne.fr
Represents the pork industry, supporting pig farmers and processors through advocacy, quality standards, and market promotion. www.inaporc.fr
Represents poultry meat producers, promoting biosecurity, welfare, and sustainability for chicken, turkey, and other poultry sectors. www.volaille-francaise.fr
The interprofessional body for dairy, supporting milk producers and processors with research, marketing, and sustainability initiatives. www.cniel.com
Represents egg producers, promoting welfare standards, quality, and consumer education under the French egg industry framework. www.oeufs.org
France’s leading agricultural research institute, conducting studies on livestock genetics, health, nutrition, and sustainable production systems. www.inrae.fr/en
A specialized RandD organization for livestock, focusing on cattle, sheep, and goats, with research on breeding, welfare, and environmental impacts. www.idele.fr
Conducts research on animal health, zoonoses, and food safety, providing scientific support for livestock disease control and biosecurity. www.anses.fr/en
A leading veterinary school researching livestock health, epidemiology, and welfare, supporting industry with scientific advancements. www.vet-alfort.fr
Focuses on RandD for poultry and aquaculture, studying production systems, welfare, and sustainability for poultry meat and eggs. www.itavi.asso.fr
