France Bon Appétit

At a crossroads of cultural and climatic influences, France has an incredible diversity of landscapes and vegetations that are all reflected in the diversity of its dairy products. Well known for its luxurious cheese board, the French dairy industry, innovative yet well established, is also the first European producer for whole, skimmed and powdered milk.

Evolving food tastes

The Indian society is developing and the food tastes reflected this change, today the consumers appreciate any sorts of "Western" products. The reason: the modernization of the country and the enrichment of Indian people since the 1990s, the emergence of the middle class and the fact that they are starting to travel in increasing numbers.

Back in their country, they want to find the flavours that they discovered abroad. More and more grocery shops are offering a mix of local and western dishes along with numerous modern and continental restaurants. The “Cantal”, The Comté and The “Fourme d’Ambert” are in great demand; however, a few more years still seem necessary before the Indian people can appreciate strong cheeses such as “Maroilles”…A growing Market

India is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The cheese market also follows this trend and is growing annually at a constant rate of 15% for the last few years. The consumption of cheese is 7 000 tons a year, according to "Indian Agri-Commodity Federation".

The dairy sector is very significant because in 2006 India was the leading producer of milk in the world. Nevertheless, Indians remain particularly fond of imported cheeses.
France is one of the main suppliers of cheeses, along with Italy and Switzerland. More and more grocery stores offer French cheeses; in certain supermarkets we even find sections where it is possible to buy cheese “by the slice". Little by little, Indians are beginning to get acquainted with terms such as "Camembert" and "Roquefort".

A Wide Range of Products

French dairy businesses have a significant number of products suitable for wide distribution including: milk, cream, butter, fresh milk products, milk-based desserts, plus milk composites such as powder, protein and rennet which come from milk and lactoserum and are used because of the nutritional properties, in: baby milk, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

But with more than 1,000 different varieties, from the mildest to the strongest, each region, or even each town and village in France is the proud possessor of its own cheese. A supple Camembert, a powerful Pont-l’Evêque, a mild Saint-Nectaire, a fruity Beaufort or a fresh goat’s cheese and many, many more there’s a cheese for everyone’s mood taste and budget!

Each one of these cheeses brings out a region, types of animals and a microbial flora. The quality of milk and the know-how of the French cheese makers are a determining factor in the production technique of the cheese, its weight, its shape. The maturing process finishes its evolution and its taste.

Innovation at the Heart of the Industry

So the dairy trade can keep its place as the second most significant producer of farm products, dairy businesses must not only co-operate, but must also be very aware of consumer demands. Expectations over quality, taste and nutrition, variety and availability, use and practicality of products, must be met. To meet these demands in 2007, 184 new milk based products were launched in France.

Although new technologies are always useful everywhere, French producers are conscious that they must maintain their craftsmanship. A number of cheeses have an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), which guarantees consumers a product which meets regulations and in particular their region of origin.

Security Above All

In the last 30 years the quality of French milk products has reached a level of excellence that is credit to both state-of-the-art machinery and to the professionalism of the cheese-makers. From the farm to the maturation rooms quality and cleanliness is at its highest. Milk and milk products are governed by the strictest legislation. You can find information concerning hygiene practices at all points of production on the site www.frenchfoodsafety.com.

Sources: foodindustry.com, aujourdhuilinde.com, French Economic Mission to India

To find out more visit:

All about French cheeses www.cheesesoffrance.com