The meat processing sector in France demonstrated fluctuating employment trends from 2013 to 2023, with overall declines marked by intermittent growth periods. In 2023, the number of employees stood at 117.37 thousand. Looking at year-on-year variations, the sector experienced notable declines in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, with severe drops witnessed in 2015 and 2021. Positive growth years included 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was -2.03%, indicating a persistent decrease in employment within the sector. Forecasts for the next five years predict a continued decline in employment, with a forecasted CAGR of -0.45%.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of automation and technological advancements on labor needs, changes in consumer demand for meat alternatives, and regulatory shifts towards sustainable practices which might influence employment dynamics within the sector.
