Cheese from whole cow milk production in Iceland
In 2023 Iceland produced 14,120 t of cheese from whole cow milk, the 63rd largest in the world (0.06% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 33%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Production, 2023
- 14,120 t
- World rank
- 63 of 95
- 10-year change
- +33%
- Record
- 14,120 t
- 2023
Cheese from whole cow milk in Iceland, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Iceland compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.06%
- 0.06% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +33%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Armenia | 17,516 | 0.08% |
| 62 | Slovenia | 15,460 | 0.07% |
| 63 | Iceland | 14,120 | 0.06% |
| 64 | Panama | 13,748 | 0.06% |
| 65 | Montenegro | 9,725 | 0.04% |
Map of world production of cheese from whole cow milk
Share of the world total; Iceland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 14,120 | +6.4% |
| 2022 | 13,272 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 12,935 | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 12,476 | −4.5% |
| 2019 | 13,070 | −3.5% |
| 2018 | 13,545 | −0.1% |
| 2017 | 13,552 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 13,140 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 12,927 | +9.6% |
| 2014 | 11,800 | +11% |
| 2013 | 10,600 | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 10,500 | +31% |
| 2011 | 8,000 | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 7,900 | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 7,800 | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 7,700 | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 7,500 | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 7,300 | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 7,100 | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 7,017 | +1.1% |
| 2003 | 6,941 | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 6,570 | +54% |
| 2001 | 4,263 | +6.8% |
| 2000 | 3,991 | −6.6% |
| 1999 | 4,275 | +24% |
| 1998 | 3,448 | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 3,417 | +3.7% |
| 1996 | 3,295 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 3,213 | +2.8% |
| 1994 | 3,125 | +5.9% |
| 1993 | 2,951 | +8.4% |
| 1992 | 2,722 | +8.4% |
| 1991 | 2,510 | +6.5% |
| 1990 | 2,356 | +1.8% |
| 1989 | 2,314 | +4.0% |
| 1988 | 2,225 | −34% |
| 1987 | 3,368 | −2.0% |
| 1986 | 3,436 | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 3,334 | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 3,052 | +27% |
| 1983 | 2,404 | −8.9% |
| 1982 | 2,640 | −6.7% |
| 1981 | 2,830 | −21% |
| 1980 | 3,591 | −2.6% |
| 1979 | 3,686 | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 3,583 | +30% |
| 1977 | 2,759 | +73% |
| 1976 | 1,595 | −19% |
| 1975 | 1,974 | −5.0% |
| 1974 | 2,078 | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 2,020 | +14% |
| 1972 | 1,778 | −7.0% |
| 1971 | 1,911 | +15% |
| 1970 | 1,667 | +67% |
| 1969 | 996 | −24% |
| 1968 | 1,312 | +16% |
| 1967 | 1,134 | −29% |
| 1966 | 1,592 | +12% |
| 1965 | 1,425 | +23% |
| 1964 | 1,156 | +33% |
| 1963 | 869 | +13% |
| 1962 | 766 | +27% |
| 1961 | 604 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 4,372 t USD 15.8 m
- Exporter rank
- 48 of 123
- Imports
- 549 t USD 6.1 m
- Importer rank
- 133 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 Iceland?
Iceland produced 14,120 t in 2023, 0.06% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iceland rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
Iceland ranked 63rd 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 Iceland changed?
It rose by 33% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. 2023 was the highest figure on record.
Does Iceland export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 Iceland reported exports of 4,372 t (USD 15.8 m) and imports of 549 t (USD 6.1 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.