Butter of cow milk production in Ireland
In 2023 Ireland produced 299,300 t of butter of cow milk, the 6th largest in the world (5.00% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 48%. The record was 305,900 t in 2021.
- Production, 2023
- 299,300 t
- World rank
- 6 of 118
- 10-year change
- +48%
- Record
- 305,900 t
- 2021
Butter of cow milk in Ireland, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Ireland compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 5.0%
- 3.8% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +48%
- world +14%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | France | 403,970 | 6.8% |
| 5 | Russia | 301,223 | 5.0% |
| 6 | Ireland | 299,300 | 5.0% |
| 7 | Poland | 264,950 | 4.4% |
| 8 | Netherlands | 206,700 | 3.5% |
Map of world production of butter of cow milk
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 299,300 | −0.0% |
| 2022 | 299,400 | −2.1% |
| 2021 | 305,900 | +4.1% |
| 2020 | 293,900 | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 284,600 | +5.3% |
| 2018 | 270,300 | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 257,500 | +12% |
| 2016 | 229,800 | +23% |
| 2015 | 187,490 | −16% |
| 2014 | 222,900 | +10% |
| 2013 | 201,780 | +39% |
| 2012 | 145,000 | −0.6% |
| 2011 | 145,900 | +8.0% |
| 2010 | 135,100 | +12% |
| 2009 | 120,300 | −2.8% |
| 2008 | 123,800 | −12% |
| 2007 | 141,400 | +1.7% |
| 2006 | 139,100 | −2.7% |
| 2005 | 143,000 | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 136,900 | −2.3% |
| 2003 | 140,100 | −4.7% |
| 2002 | 147,000 | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 139,000 | −4.1% |
| 2000 | 145,000 | +7.2% |
| 1999 | 135,300 | +3.0% |
| 1998 | 131,300 | −5.4% |
| 1997 | 138,800 | −2.4% |
| 1996 | 142,200 | −0.1% |
| 1995 | 142,400 | +12% |
| 1994 | 126,800 | −0.5% |
| 1993 | 127,500 | −4.6% |
| 1992 | 133,600 | −4.6% |
| 1991 | 140,000 | −5.5% |
| 1990 | 148,200 | +6.5% |
| 1989 | 139,100 | +12% |
| 1988 | 123,800 | −7.9% |
| 1987 | 134,394 | −12% |
| 1986 | 153,496 | −8.1% |
| 1985 | 167,000 | −2.3% |
| 1984 | 171,000 | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 164,000 | +17% |
| 1982 | 140,000 | +12% |
| 1981 | 125,000 | +0.8% |
| 1980 | 124,000 | −7.5% |
| 1979 | 134,000 | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 132,000 | +23% |
| 1977 | 107,000 | +3.9% |
| 1976 | 103,000 | +21% |
| 1975 | 85,000 | +12% |
| 1974 | 76,000 | −13% |
| 1973 | 87,000 | +13% |
| 1972 | 77,043 | +2.7% |
| 1971 | 75,000 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 72,752 | −6.3% |
| 1969 | 77,674 | −0.5% |
| 1968 | 78,069 | +6.9% |
| 1967 | 73,000 | +8.6% |
| 1966 | 67,197 | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 65,845 | +2.1% |
| 1964 | 64,500 | +6.9% |
| 1963 | 60,346 | −3.0% |
| 1962 | 62,200 | +1.5% |
| 1961 | 61,300 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 242,406 t USD 1.76 bn
- Exporter rank
- 3 of 113
- Imports
- 5,499 t USD 38.6 m
- Importer rank
- 47 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 Ireland?
Ireland produced 299,300 t in 2023, 5.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world for production of butter of cow milk?
Ireland ranked 6th 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 Ireland changed?
It rose by 48% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +14% for the world. The record was 305,900 t in 2021.
Does Ireland export or import butter of cow milk?
In 2024 Ireland reported exports of 242,406 t (USD 1.76 bn) and imports of 5,499 t (USD 38.6 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. 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.