Evolution and heterogeneity of the income of French cow's milk producers[Évolution et hétérogénéité du revenu des producteurs français de lait de vache]

Using statistical data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), this paper proposes an analysis focused on the income of French cow's milk producers. Based on a multi-year average of 11 years (2010 to 2020), the first part shows that the family farm income per non-salaried agricultural work unit of dairy farms (25,100 euros on a national average in constant 2020 currency) is 15% lower than the average for all farms; it also emphasizes that the dispersion of this indicator is lower in dairy production than in other farming types. Using three economic criteria, the second part proposes a typology that divides dairy farms into eight economic performance classes. The third part highlights that recent years are characterized compared to the early 2000s, by a greater spread of income distribution on French dairy farms. It then discusses the key factors that explain income variability, focusing in particular on the cost of the feeding system and the question of possible economies of scale. The conclusion offers a short reflection on recent trends in the French dairy production sector.