One in three meals in France features cheese, study finds

French families purchase 33.9 kilos of cheese each year, with around one in three (31%) of lunches or dinners featuring a cheese board, new research by Kantar has revealed.

To mark World Cheese Day, on 27 March, Kantar explored French consumption trends around cheese, describing it as a ‘passion that endures and transforms, while remaining anchored in the daily life of French households’.

According to the data, French families buy cheese almost 45 times per year, averaging 750g per purchase, while families account for two fifths of cheese consumption (40.7%), despite representing only 31.9% of the French population.

Households with teenagers are particularly avid consumers of cheese, with said families purchasing cheese close to once a week, while families with older children tend to spend more, with an average annual purchase of 38.6 kilos per year.

‘An interesting evolution’

‘The cheese market is experiencing an interesting evolution this year, driven by an increasingly developed use in cooking,’ Kantar said. ‘The grated cheese and mozzarella offerings are particularly popular and mark a contrast to the more subdued appeal of traditional cheese boards.’

According to the research firm, the cheeses that have seen the biggest increase in consumption in France include cooked pressed cheeses (often used in grated form), fresh cheeses, Italian cheeses like mozzarella, and cheeses aimed at children.

‘Despite a slight decrease for the traditional cheese platter, it remains a central food in the daily life of the French, especially within families,’ said Kantar. ‘The market continues to evolve, supported by a strong demand for practical cheeses in the kitchen.’ More information on Kantar France can be found here.