Butter of cow milk production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 15,900 t of butter of cow milk, the 46th largest in the world (0.27% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 56,334 t in 1969.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 15,900 t
- World rank
- 46 of 118
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 56,334 t
- 1969
Butter of cow milk in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.27%
- 0.36% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world +14%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Myanmar | 17,621 | 0.29% |
| 45 | Norway | 16,000 | 0.27% |
| 46 | South Africa | 15,900 | 0.27% |
| 47 | Lithuania | 13,990 | 0.23% |
| 48 | Saudi Arabia | 12,130 | 0.20% |
Map of world production of butter of cow milk
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15,900 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 15,400 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 15,100 | −1.9% |
| 2020 | 15,400 | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 14,100 | −2.1% |
| 2018 | 14,400 | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 14,100 | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 13,900 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 13,500 | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 13,100 | −30% |
| 2013 | 18,750 | +7.6% |
| 2012 | 17,429 | +5.4% |
| 2011 | 16,536 | −3.6% |
| 2010 | 17,159 | −3.4% |
| 2009 | 17,760 | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 17,732 | +2.3% |
| 2007 | 17,326 | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 16,817 | +14% |
| 2005 | 14,769 | +15% |
| 2004 | 12,817 | +14% |
| 2003 | 11,234 | +32% |
| 2002 | 8,534 | −22% |
| 2001 | 10,964 | +23% |
| 2000 | 8,926 | +5.2% |
| 1999 | 8,484 | −51% |
| 1998 | 17,195 | +34% |
| 1997 | 12,793 | +103% |
| 1996 | 6,313 | −57% |
| 1995 | 14,598 | +22% |
| 1994 | 11,949 | −19% |
| 1993 | 14,768 | −13% |
| 1992 | 17,043 | +11% |
| 1991 | 15,320 | −29% |
| 1990 | 21,453 | +29% |
| 1989 | 16,651 | +7.1% |
| 1988 | 15,552 | +30% |
| 1987 | 11,968 | −9.6% |
| 1986 | 13,241 | −25% |
| 1985 | 17,626 | +7.3% |
| 1984 | 16,420 | −10% |
| 1983 | 18,317 | −12% |
| 1982 | 20,813 | +41% |
| 1981 | 14,792 | −12% |
| 1980 | 16,876 | −12% |
| 1979 | 19,091 | +8.4% |
| 1978 | 17,612 | −28% |
| 1977 | 24,519 | −8.8% |
| 1976 | 26,883 | −1.7% |
| 1975 | 27,352 | −16% |
| 1974 | 32,389 | −17% |
| 1973 | 39,170 | −15% |
| 1972 | 46,219 | +3.1% |
| 1971 | 44,814 | −6.9% |
| 1970 | 48,117 | −15% |
| 1969 | 56,334 | +5.2% |
| 1968 | 53,533 | +18% |
| 1967 | 45,330 | +17% |
| 1966 | 38,848 | −0.8% |
| 1965 | 39,149 | −5.2% |
| 1964 | 41,315 | +24% |
| 1963 | 33,307 | −31% |
| 1962 | 48,081 | −2.5% |
| 1961 | 49,318 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2,391 t USD 10.3 m
- Exporter rank
- 29 of 113
- Imports
- 1,338 t USD 7.8 m
- Importer rank
- 80 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 South Africa?
South Africa produced 15,900 t in 2023, 0.27% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of butter of cow milk?
South Africa ranked 46th 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 South Africa changed?
It fell by 15% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +14% for the world. The record was 56,334 t in 1969.
Does South Africa export or import butter of cow milk?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 2,391 t (USD 10.3 m) and imports of 1,338 t (USD 7.8 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 South Africa is from an external organisation. 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.