Butter of cow milk production in New Zealand
In 2023 New Zealand produced 462,400 t of butter of cow milk, the 3rd largest in the world (7.73% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 19%. The record was 569,500 t in 2015.
The 2023 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 462,400 t
- World rank
- 3 of 118
- 10-year change
- +19%
- Record
- 569,500 t
- 2015
Butter of cow milk in New Zealand, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 7.7%
- 7.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +19%
- world +14%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 957,773 | 16.0% |
| 2 | Germany | 468,880 | 7.8% |
| 3 | New Zealand | 462,400 | 7.7% |
| 4 | France | 403,970 | 6.8% |
| 5 | Russia | 301,223 | 5.0% |
Map of world production of butter of cow milk
Share of the world total; New Zealand is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 462,400 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 459,000 | +8.6% |
| 2021 | 422,687 | −13% |
| 2020 | 483,859 | −3.2% |
| 2019 | 500,000 | −0.4% |
| 2018 | 502,000 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 491,100 | −12% |
| 2016 | 560,600 | −1.6% |
| 2015 | 569,500 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 568,500 | +46% |
| 2013 | 390,000 | +13% |
| 2012 | 344,150 | −25% |
| 2011 | 459,000 | +17% |
| 2010 | 392,000 | −5.1% |
| 2009 | 413,000 | −1.3% |
| 2008 | 418,500 | −0.1% |
| 2007 | 419,000 | +7.4% |
| 2006 | 390,000 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 379,000 | −2.8% |
| 2004 | 390,000 | −3.7% |
| 2003 | 405,000 | −2.3% |
| 2002 | 414,550 | +6.0% |
| 2001 | 391,135 | +14% |
| 2000 | 343,831 | +8.3% |
| 1999 | 317,475 | −7.6% |
| 1998 | 343,658 | −2.1% |
| 1997 | 350,887 | +18% |
| 1996 | 297,369 | +12% |
| 1995 | 265,333 | −2.5% |
| 1994 | 272,086 | +7.9% |
| 1993 | 252,267 | −3.6% |
| 1992 | 261,653 | +4.3% |
| 1991 | 250,881 | −2.7% |
| 1990 | 257,842 | +14% |
| 1989 | 226,000 | −7.3% |
| 1988 | 243,800 | +1.2% |
| 1987 | 240,900 | −17% |
| 1986 | 291,700 | +5.1% |
| 1985 | 277,500 | −1.5% |
| 1984 | 281,800 | +13% |
| 1983 | 249,800 | +4.5% |
| 1982 | 239,100 | −3.3% |
| 1981 | 247,200 | −3.1% |
| 1980 | 255,000 | +0.1% |
| 1979 | 254,700 | +10% |
| 1978 | 231,200 | −12% |
| 1977 | 263,100 | +4.4% |
| 1976 | 252,100 | +5.3% |
| 1975 | 239,400 | +13% |
| 1974 | 211,300 | −11% |
| 1973 | 237,500 | −2.7% |
| 1972 | 244,200 | +5.8% |
| 1971 | 230,800 | −3.7% |
| 1970 | 239,700 | −12% |
| 1969 | 271,400 | +8.0% |
| 1968 | 251,400 | −2.9% |
| 1967 | 258,900 | +5.9% |
| 1966 | 244,400 | −0.4% |
| 1965 | 245,300 | +6.0% |
| 1964 | 231,500 | +6.7% |
| 1963 | 217,000 | +3.0% |
| 1962 | 210,700 | −1.3% |
| 1961 | 213,500 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 429,069 t USD 2.81 bn
- Exporter rank
- 1 of 113
- Imports
- 924 t USD 6.3 m
- Importer rank
- 86 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 New Zealand?
New Zealand produced 462,400 t in 2023, 7.7% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world for production of butter of cow milk?
New Zealand ranked 3rd 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 New Zealand changed?
It rose by 19% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +14% for the world. The record was 569,500 t in 2015.
Does New Zealand export or import butter of cow milk?
In 2024 New Zealand reported exports of 429,069 t (USD 2.81 bn) and imports of 924 t (USD 6.3 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 New Zealand is estimated 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.