France has overtaken Ireland as the biggest exporter of cheese to the UK, according to the latest figures from Eurostat.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


In 2007, France accounted for nearly a third of the 399,408 tonnes of cheese now imported into the UK.


Imports of French cheeses have been steadily rising to close the gap on Irish volumes since 2004 Last year, French cheese imports into the UK reached 112,085 tonnes, compared to Ireland’s 89,042 tonnes.


Although Brie, Camembert and Emmental are increasingly becoming associated with everyday commodity products, they still managed to see sales rise in value terms.


Brie, still under heavy price competition, managed a rise of 1%, Camembert saw an increase of 2% and Emmental the biggest increase of 14% in sales.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“The range of French cheeses is the most diverse of any country and this has placed us in a particularly strong position, despite the difficult trading conditions caused by rising milk prices and cut-price promotions,” said Sally Budd, senior account manager for Fine Cheeses from France.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now