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The CNAOL presents its 2025 Key Figures for dairy products with PDO and PGI designations
With 52 dairy Designations of Origin, France ranks first in Europe in terms of the number of AOP cheeses, butters, and creams. This is just one of many statistics featured in the newly released “Key Figures 2025” brochure on AOP and IGP dairy products, the result of a partnership between the CNAOL and the INAO.
As it does every year, the National Council for Dairy Designations of Origin (CNAOL) released the latest edition of its brochure, *Key Figures for AOP and IGP Dairy Products*, for its general assembly, which took place on September 24 and 25, 2026. Based on 2025 data, it is the result of a partnership with the Institute. This publication provides a detailed overview of the dairy sector under Geographical Indications (PDO and PGI), at a time when, more than ever, it must contend with major challenges such as climate-related uncertainties, issues surrounding raw milk (76% of AOP cheeses are made from raw milk), and challenges in communicating with consumers. This partly explains why sales volumes stagnated in 2025, with a total of 202,109 metric tons of AOP cheese sold. PDO butters, on the other hand, are faring well, showing a 6% increase in sales volume.
In total, 46 cheeses, 3 butters, and 2 creams with PDO status on the one hand, and 12 cheeses and 1 cream with PGI status on the other, make up the dairy sector under GI protection.
Among the other notable figures presented in this brochure are the number of operators involved in the AOP and IGP sectors, including 15,030 dairy farmers, 1,282 farmers, 510 processing facilities and 335 aging facilities. These figures demonstrate the prominent role played by the AOP and IGP dairy sector in the French agri-food landscape.