Butter of cow milk production in China
In 2023 China produced 109,452 t of butter of cow milk, the 16th largest in the world (1.83% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 19%. This is the highest figure on record.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 109,452 t
- World rank
- 16 of 118
- 10-year change
- +19%
- Record
- 109,452 t
- 2023
Butter of cow milk in China, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.8%
- 1.7% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +19%
- world +14%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Belgium | 119,860 | 2.0% |
| 15 | Canada | 114,903 | 1.9% |
| 16 | China | 109,452 | 1.8% |
| 17 | Uzbekistan | 104,805 | 1.8% |
| 18 | Denmark | 95,800 | 1.6% |
Map of world production of butter of cow milk
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 109,452 | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 103,000 | +7.2% |
| 2021 | 96,074 | +7.4% |
| 2020 | 89,428 | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 83,151 | +4.5% |
| 2018 | 79,548 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 78,647 | −0.8% |
| 2016 | 79,279 | −3.4% |
| 2015 | 82,077 | −14% |
| 2014 | 95,726 | +4.3% |
| 2013 | 91,798 | −5.4% |
| 2012 | 97,063 | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 94,731 | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 92,554 | −3.6% |
| 2009 | 96,000 | −2.0% |
| 2008 | 98,000 | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 96,000 | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 94,000 | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 92,000 | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 88,000 | +4.8% |
| 2003 | 84,000 | +5.0% |
| 2002 | 80,000 | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 76,000 | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 74,000 | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 72,000 | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 71,200 | +1.7% |
| 1997 | 70,000 | +2.9% |
| 1996 | 68,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 68,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 68,000 | +1.8% |
| 1993 | 66,800 | +4.4% |
| 1992 | 64,000 | +4.6% |
| 1991 | 61,200 | +5.5% |
| 1990 | 58,000 | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 57,600 | +6.7% |
| 1988 | 54,000 | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 52,000 | +8.3% |
| 1986 | 48,000 | +9.1% |
| 1985 | 44,000 | +1.9% |
| 1984 | 43,200 | +20% |
| 1983 | 36,000 | +1.5% |
| 1982 | 35,480 | +16% |
| 1981 | 30,640 | +8.2% |
| 1980 | 28,320 | +12% |
| 1979 | 25,200 | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 24,480 | +4.6% |
| 1977 | 23,400 | +4.8% |
| 1976 | 22,320 | +8.8% |
| 1975 | 20,520 | +9.1% |
| 1974 | 18,800 | +9.3% |
| 1973 | 17,200 | +4.9% |
| 1972 | 16,400 | +7.9% |
| 1971 | 15,200 | +12% |
| 1970 | 13,600 | +11% |
| 1969 | 12,240 | +3.0% |
| 1968 | 11,880 | −1.0% |
| 1967 | 12,000 | −3.5% |
| 1966 | 12,440 | +0.3% |
| 1965 | 12,400 | +3.3% |
| 1964 | 12,000 | +1.7% |
| 1963 | 11,800 | +5.4% |
| 1962 | 11,200 | +5.7% |
| 1961 | 10,600 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 3,582 t USD 12.2 m
- Exporter rank
- 28 of 113
- Imports
- 104,981 t USD 737 m
- Importer rank
- 5 of 189
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of butter of cow milk in China?
China produced 109,452 t in 2023, 1.8% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of butter of cow milk?
China ranked 16th of 118 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 16.0% of the world total.
How has the production of butter of cow milk in China changed?
It rose by 19% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +14% for the world. 2023 was the highest figure on record.
Does China export or import butter of cow milk?
In 2024 China reported exports of 3,582 t (USD 12.2 m) and imports of 104,981 t (USD 737 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for China is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.