France livestock population: cattle
France livestock population: cattle stood at 16,236.7 thousand heads in 2025, according to Eurostat – crop production in EU standard humidity (apro_cpsh1), French agricultural statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1973 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle3 | 16,236.7 | 16,478.26 | 16,806.9 | 16,986.19 | 17,330.08 | 17,815.67 | 18,172.97 | 18,613.04 | 18,953.58 | 19,373.38 | |
| Cattle under 1 year old | 4,575.93 | 4,591.66 | 4,782.53 | 4,867.63 | 4,944.73 | 5,119.13 | 5,124.53 | 5,304.06 | 5,270.85 | 5,574.55 | |
| Cattle 1 to less than 2 years old | 2,868.03 | 2,966.33 | 3,003.32 | 2,992.01 | 3,021.31 | 3,062.93 | 3,183.45 | 3,180.34 | 3,381.36 | 3,474.52 |
Understanding france livestock population: cattle
Cattle livestock population counts the total head of domesticated bovine animals present within national borders during the annual census window, regardless of age, sex, or commercial purpose. The tally encompasses dairy herds, beef suckler animals, replacement heifers, and unweaned calves, while entirely omitting non-bovine livestock such as sheep, goats, and pigs. Unlike specialized demographic breakdowns within the same family, this aggregate total provides a macro-level overview of the entire bovine herd.
Interpreting this census requires understanding the structural timing of livestock surveys, which typically capture animal inventories at a fixed point in the calendar year. Revisions can occur when administrative animal movement databases are reconciled with slaughterhouse records and export manifests. Year-on-year comparisons reveal cyclical herd liquidation or retention phases, driven by shifting feed costs, veterinary regulations, and farmgate pricing dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this aggregate cattle count include animals imported temporarily for finishing?
- Animals physically present within the national territory during the census enumeration period are included regardless of origin.
- How often is the total bovine inventory updated?
- The population figure is compiled and published on an annual basis using standardized statistical collection methods.
- Can this aggregate series be used to monitor immediate milk supply trends?
- Not directly, because the total includes non-dairy beef breeds and young calves alongside milking cows.