France Animal Protein Market

France Animal Protein Market Analysis

The France Animal Protein Market size is estimated at USD 166.41 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 205.69 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.33% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

• The growing awareness of protein ingredients has contributed to an increase in the demand for animal protein in various end-use segments such as food and beverages, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, cosmetics & personal care, and others. In addition, protein ingredients like gelatin are often used as a gelling ingredient in various cosmetics products, including body lotions, face creams, sunscreens, moisturizers, and several other products.
• Key players engaged in the manufacturing of gelatin strive to cater to wider applications through their product offerings. For instance, in January 2021, Rousselot, a subsidiary of Darling Ingredients, introduced Peptan wild-caught marine-based collagen peptide at the Virtual Beauty & Skincare Formulation Conference 2021. The product is ideal for application in the nutrigenetics and dietary supplement sectors.
• Furthermore, dairy products, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt, are highly consumed by consumers. Meanwhile, dairy protein ingredients are used as key ingredients in the dairy industry. For instance, dairy protein concentrates are added to yogurt as a functional ingredient. Thus, the addition of dairy protein concentrates to yogurt milk will enhance the gel stability of the product. Hence, the demand for dairy ingredients is increasing from dairy products across the country.
• For instance, according to Eurostat, in 2021, France accounted for the second largest share in yogurt production in Europe with almost 18% share. This increased consumption and production positively impacts the growth of dairy ingredients across the country.
• However, veganism has grown in popularity and practice in recent years, with an increasing number of people adopting a vegan lifestyle daily. This trend is most likely reflected in the increasing number of vegan restaurants and the availability of vegan products in French supermarkets.
• Due to an increasing trend of a vegan diet, many people are switching to plant-based proteins and products, which might hamper the potential market growth for animal-based protein in the country.

France Animal Protein Market Trends

Rising Demand for Functional Food and Beverage Can Stimulate the Market

• The rising aging population across the country is driving demand for functional food and drink. As people live for a longer period, it can increase the sick years, which directly implies that life expectancy is growing but not the healthy one. Due to this, healthy aging will be one of the major concerns in the future across the country.
• For instance, in 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies ((French: Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (Insee)), in France, more than 27% of the country's population is over 60 years old, equal to one in four inhabitants. Further, in 2040, it will be nearly one in three. Thus, people are opting for food that helps them to live healthier for longer and prevent the occurrence of health problems where protein plays a major role in fulfilling the needs and requirements of the consumers.
• Protein's benefits for muscle growth, recovery, and weight management make them ideal for food and drink fortification. Hence, manufacturers engaged in the animal protein sector are emphasizing the products that can deliver nutritional benefits to consumers.
• For instance, in February 2021, Lactalis Ingredients launched a new Pronativ Native Micellar Casein, marketed as a pure and natural protein. It has been derived by utilizing a cold filtration method to extract whey directly from milk without adding additives or chemicals. As per the company, the product is ideal for the nutritional industry to fulfill its unique requirements.
• Moreover, French consumers who prefer a healthy lifestyle are increasingly opting for sports nutrition products intending to complement their post-workout sessions. For instance, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in 2022, the retail sales of fortified and functional (FF) ready-to-drink sports beverages in France accounted for about USD 26.4 million, which increased from USD 24.8 million in 2021.
• Thus, rising demand for functional food and beverage products from the aging population as well as other age group consumers can shape the market for animal protein in the country.

Increasing Milk Production Supporting the Animal Protein Demand in the Country

• The consumers' demand for more from their food and beverage products and interest in health and wellness has increased the use of milk protein in the market. Due to their digestibility property, milk protein isolates are the most used ingredient by infant food manufacturers, such as as-baby cereals, bottled baby food, and others.
• For instance, in September 2021, Lactalis Ingredients offered Prolacta 80, a soluble protein concentrate that is physically separated and concentrated right from milk. It is suitable for infant formulae due to its high protein content, notably alpha-lactalbumin, which is also the main protein in breast milk.
• Additionally, dried milk protein concentrate is produced from skim milk using a combination of processes, such as ultrafiltration (UF), evaporation or nanofiltration, and spray drying. The increasing demand for milk protein concentrates is supported by steady growth in skimmed milk powder production in the market.
• According to Eurostat, the production of skimmed milk was pegged at 369.990 tons in 2022, whereas the production of caseins and caseinates was pegged at 44 tons, which is an increase of 15.8% from 2021.
• Furthermore, the positive outlook of the dairy industry in the market, followed by increasing consumer demand for protein-rich food with constant evolution in product launches, is actively accelerating the application of various animal proteins like milk protein in the food and beverage industry and is expected to continue gaining momentum during the forecast period.

France Animal Protein Industry Overview

The annual protein market across the France market is fragmented and witnessing significant business development over the last few years owing to the presence of a large number of regional and domestic players in the industry. The players majorly focused on strategic partnership, product innovation, launches, and research & development.

The players that are operating in the animal protein country across the French market are Lactalis Ingredients, Darling Ingredients Inc. (Rousselot), Arla Foods amba, Laita (EPI Ingredients), Gelita AG, and others. For instance, in July 2021, Halavet Food, a subsidiary of İskefe JoldingCompany, established one of the largest production facilities in Turkey, Europe. The production facility has been established with an investment of USD 25 million. According to the company, gelatin produced in the facility is halal-certified and obtained from different materials such as cattle, pork, fish, and others.

France Animal Protein Market Leaders

France Animal Protein Market News

• April of 2023: Innovafeed successfully concluded its expansion project at the Nesle manufacturing facility, located in the picturesque Somme region of France. The company proudly announced its enhanced capacity to produce over 100,000 tons of high-quality ingredients annually, harnessing the combined capabilities of both the Nesle and Gouzeaucourt sites.
• March 2023: Confixx by Gelita AG launched a groundbreaking gelatin innovation designed specifically for the starch-free production of gummies. This remarkable product offers a sensorial profile previously attainable only through traditional starch-based manufacturing processes. Gelita AG emphasizes that Confixx streamlines production procedures and provides a cost-effective solution for manufacturers in the gummy supplement industry.
• December 2021: Eurial Ingredients & Nutrition (I&N) introduced EuriNutri WPC 80, a whey protein concentrate boasting an impressive 80% protein content. This versatile ingredient serves as an invaluable addition to a wide array of food and nutrition applications, excelling as both a gelling and emulsifying agent while delivering essential amino acids.
• November 2021: Agronutris unveiled ambitious plans to invest approximately EUR 100 million (USD 116 million) in the establishment of new factories situated in Northeastern France. These strategic initiatives aim to bolster the supply of raw materials to the thriving European pet food industry. The inaugural facility commenced production in 2022, boasting a capacity of 70,000 tons of material. Meanwhile, the second facility is slated to commence operations in 2024, with an annual production capacity of 210,000 tons.