Butter of cow milk production in United States
In 2023 United States produced 957,773 t of butter of cow milk, the largest total in the world (16.0% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 13%. The record was 973,141 t in 2020.
- Production, 2023
- 957,773 t
- World rank
- 1 of 118
- 10-year change
- +13%
- Record
- 973,141 t
- 2020
Butter of cow milk in United States, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
United States compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 16.0%
- 16.1% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +13%
- 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% |
Map of world production of butter of cow milk
Share of the world total; United States is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 957,773 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 933,840 | −0.2% |
| 2021 | 935,636 | −3.9% |
| 2020 | 973,141 | +7.6% |
| 2019 | 904,521 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 892,801 | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 838,008 | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 834,346 | −0.5% |
| 2015 | 838,936 | −0.3% |
| 2014 | 841,556 | −0.4% |
| 2013 | 844,832 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 843,473 | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 820,890 | +16% |
| 2010 | 709,406 | −0.5% |
| 2009 | 713,269 | −4.3% |
| 2008 | 745,613 | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 695,307 | +5.8% |
| 2006 | 656,995 | +7.5% |
| 2005 | 611,153 | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 565,484 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 563,524 | −8.3% |
| 2002 | 614,685 | +10% |
| 2001 | 558,752 | −1.9% |
| 2000 | 569,727 | −1.5% |
| 1999 | 578,350 | +9.2% |
| 1998 | 529,800 | +1.5% |
| 1997 | 522,000 | −2.0% |
| 1996 | 532,732 | −7.1% |
| 1995 | 573,555 | −2.4% |
| 1994 | 587,810 | −1.5% |
| 1993 | 596,560 | −3.7% |
| 1992 | 619,200 | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 606,000 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 590,700 | +0.5% |
| 1989 | 587,600 | +7.3% |
| 1988 | 547,500 | +9.3% |
| 1987 | 500,800 | −8.2% |
| 1986 | 545,400 | −3.6% |
| 1985 | 566,000 | +13% |
| 1984 | 500,453 | −15% |
| 1983 | 589,325 | +3.4% |
| 1982 | 570,146 | +2.3% |
| 1981 | 557,095 | +7.2% |
| 1980 | 519,480 | +16% |
| 1979 | 446,609 | −1.0% |
| 1978 | 451,000 | −8.4% |
| 1977 | 492,600 | +11% |
| 1976 | 443,897 | −0.5% |
| 1975 | 446,238 | +2.3% |
| 1974 | 436,228 | +4.7% |
| 1973 | 416,678 | −17% |
| 1972 | 499,818 | −3.9% |
| 1971 | 520,268 | +0.3% |
| 1970 | 518,470 | +1.5% |
| 1969 | 510,955 | −4.1% |
| 1968 | 532,968 | −5.1% |
| 1967 | 561,621 | +9.7% |
| 1966 | 511,776 | −16% |
| 1965 | 610,525 | −8.3% |
| 1964 | 665,704 | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 659,087 | −8.0% |
| 1962 | 716,063 | +2.8% |
| 1961 | 696,629 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 31,649 t USD 207 m
- Exporter rank
- 11 of 113
- Imports
- 87,395 t USD 752 m
- Importer rank
- 6 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 United States?
United States produced 957,773 t in 2023, 16.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world for production of butter of cow milk?
United States was the world’s largest producer in 2023, ahead of Germany.
How has the production of butter of cow milk in United States changed?
It rose by 13% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +14% for the world. The record was 973,141 t in 2020.
Does United States export or import butter of cow milk?
In 2024 United States reported exports of 31,649 t (USD 207 m) and imports of 87,395 t (USD 752 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.