Milk in 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Dairy

With more than 23 billion litres collected in 2024, France plays a leading role in the European dairy sector. A key pillar of agriculture and the agri-food industry, the dairy sector is constantly evolving to meet changing consumer expectations and the environmental challenges it faces. New trends are emerging, disrupting consumption habits and the way milk is produced and marketed. Ahead of World Milk Day, we have selected four of these trends.

1 – New formats for new lifestyles

Mini-packs, on-the-go formats and portion packs: individual and miniature packaging is booming, whether for milk, yoghurts or dairy desserts. These formats make it easier to transport, store and consume products on the go, while also helping to reduce waste. They are particularly popular with young professionals, students and families with children, and meet a growing demand for convenience without compromising on quality.

2 – The hay milk wave

Hay milk, produced from cows fed exclusively on grass and hay, stands out as an exceptional product. By avoiding silage, often criticised for its environmental impact, this production method guarantees milk with a richer, more authentic taste. This milk is renowned for its higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and vitamins, which also improves the quality of dairy products. This sector has grown significantly in recent years: between 2020 and 2023, the number of producers certified STG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) Hay Milk rose from 70 to 115.

3 – Organic farming continues its long-term growth

Strict specifications guaranteeing environmentally friendly production methods, without pesticides or GMOs: the organic label has everything to reassure consumers looking for guidance on how to consume better and reduce their impact on the environment. Despite a slight decline in 2023, organic milk already accounted for 5.4% of total cow's milk collection that year. This share was only 1.2% in 2010.

4 – More sustainable milk production

Faced with environmental and societal challenges, dairy producers are increasingly committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, incorporating social, environmental and economic criteria into their practices. Optimised effluent management, reduced energy consumption and improved feed efficiency for herds: as regularly highlighted by the Institute of Animal Husbandry (Institut de l’Elevage), the dairy industry is striving to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by developing more sustainable farming practices. Animal welfare is also a key concern, and more and more producers are promoting the implementation of more virtuous practices (free access to the outdoors, high-quality feed, veterinary monitoring, etc.).