Cheese from whole cow milk production in Germany
In 2023 Germany produced 2.4 million t of cheese from whole cow milk, the 2nd largest in the world (10.3% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 6.1%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Production, 2023
- 2.4 million t
- World rank
- 2 of 95
- 10-year change
- +6.1%
- Record
- 2.4 million t
- 2023
Cheese from whole cow milk in Germany, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Germany compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 10.3%
- 12.1% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +6.1%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 6,420,928 | 27.9% |
| 2 | Germany | 2,359,510 | 10.3% |
| 3 | France | 1,731,360 | 7.5% |
| 4 | Italy | 1,207,190 | 5.3% |
Map of world production of cheese from whole cow milk
Share of the world total; Germany is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,359,510 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 2,332,930 | −1.1% |
| 2021 | 2,359,430 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 2,353,510 | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 2,296,220 | +2.3% |
| 2018 | 2,244,710 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 2,215,270 | −0.8% |
| 2016 | 2,232,590 | −0.2% |
| 2015 | 2,236,470 | −1.7% |
| 2014 | 2,274,350 | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 2,223,010 | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 2,160,530 | +59% |
| 2011 | 1,357,400 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 1,353,600 | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 1,299,100 | +4.4% |
| 2008 | 1,244,600 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 1,217,600 | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 1,184,600 | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 1,126,500 | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 1,053,700 | +4.4% |
| 2003 | 1,009,600 | +4.4% |
| 2002 | 966,800 | −0.3% |
| 2001 | 969,600 | +8.3% |
| 2000 | 895,236 | +10% |
| 1999 | 812,880 | −0.6% |
| 1998 | 818,068 | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 805,552 | +6.4% |
| 1996 | 757,210 | +11% |
| 1995 | 681,572 | +2.3% |
| 1994 | 665,936 | +3.9% |
| 1993 | 641,234 | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 633,000 | +3.7% |
| 1991 | 610,335 | −9.4% |
| 1990 | 674,000 | −1.2% |
| 1989 | 682,486 | +6.9% |
| 1988 | 638,673 | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 631,846 | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 613,365 | −0.3% |
| 1985 | 615,320 | +3.3% |
| 1984 | 595,531 | +4.7% |
| 1983 | 569,011 | +0.1% |
| 1982 | 568,592 | +3.4% |
| 1981 | 549,934 | +5.1% |
| 1980 | 523,055 | +7.0% |
| 1979 | 488,728 | +5.1% |
| 1978 | 464,817 | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 447,124 | +8.0% |
| 1976 | 413,891 | +9.1% |
| 1975 | 379,450 | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 365,726 | +11% |
| 1973 | 330,700 | +3.1% |
| 1972 | 320,700 | +7.3% |
| 1971 | 299,000 | +1.0% |
| 1970 | 296,000 | +2.3% |
| 1969 | 289,300 | +6.4% |
| 1968 | 271,900 | +5.3% |
| 1967 | 258,200 | +5.4% |
| 1966 | 244,900 | +3.6% |
| 1965 | 236,500 | +9.2% |
| 1964 | 216,600 | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 210,800 | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 206,500 | +0.9% |
| 1961 | 204,700 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1.3 million t USD 6.20 bn
- Exporter rank
- 1 of 123
- Imports
- 926,744 t USD 5.87 bn
- Importer rank
- 1 of 192
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 cheese from whole cow milk in Germany?
Germany produced 2.4 million t in 2023, 10.3% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Germany rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
Germany ranked 2nd of 95 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 27.9% of the world total.
How has the production of cheese from whole cow milk in Germany changed?
It rose by 6.1% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. 2023 was the highest figure on record.
Does Germany export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 Germany reported exports of 1.3 million t (USD 6.20 bn) and imports of 926,744 t (USD 5.87 bn), 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.