Organic cow milk production in France has declined to levels recorded in 2020, as profitability drops and consumer demand stabilizes. Regions like Hauts-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine are most affected.
France’s dairy industry, represented by the National Interprofessional Center for the Dairy Economy (CNIEL), is facing a significant shift as organic cow milk production returns to levels last seen in early 2020. CNIEL, an organization that oversees economic coordination among dairy producers and processors in France, has reported a sharp decline in both production volumes and the number of organic milk producers across the country.
Between January 2024 and January 2025, France saw a 6% drop in organic milk producers. Since its peak in 2022, the sector has lost about 14% of its contributors. This downturn is largely attributed to reduced profitability of organic milk compared to conventional alternatives and uneven demand for organic products.
Regional impacts have been stark. Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have been among the hardest hit, with approximately 20% of organic dairy farmers either halting operations or reverting to traditional production methods.
Production figures reflect this trend. In 2024, organic cow milk production in France totaled 1.170 billion liters, which marks a drop of 120 million liters from 2022 — a 4.4% decline consistent with the decrease observed in 2023.
However, not all regions are experiencing the same levels of decline. The Grand Ouest region has managed to contain production losses, and Centre-Val de Loire even recorded a slight increase in output, indicating regional variations in resilience.
On the consumer side, signs of a potential rebound are emerging. Specialized organic stores report more than 7% growth in sales among the top 16 organic brands. Prices are stabilizing, and the decline in supermarket sales of organic milk has slowed to 3% in early 2025, compared to steeper falls in previous years.
Looking beyond France, Germany has seen a contrasting trend, with record sales of organic liquid milk despite a broader decline in milk consumption. Organic products now represent a 15% share of milk consumption in the German market, suggesting that broader European trends may offer hope for a turnaround.
