Cheese from whole cow milk production in New Zealand
In 2023 New Zealand produced 375,000 t of cheese from whole cow milk, the 14th largest in the world (1.63% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 21%. The record was 380,000 t in 2018.
The 2023 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 375,000 t
- World rank
- 14 of 95
- 10-year change
- +21%
- Record
- 380,000 t
- 2018
Cheese from whole cow milk in New Zealand, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.6%
- 1.7% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +21%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Argentina | 477,436 | 2.1% |
| 13 | Egypt | 444,205 | 1.9% |
| 14 | New Zealand | 375,000 | 1.6% |
| 15 | Australia | 374,812 | 1.6% |
| 16 | Venezuela | 372,113 | 1.6% |
Map of world production of cheese from whole 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 | 375,000 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 375,000 | −1.3% |
| 2021 | 380,000 | +8.6% |
| 2020 | 350,000 | −4.1% |
| 2019 | 365,000 | −3.9% |
| 2018 | 380,000 | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 378,000 | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 360,000 | −3.7% |
| 2015 | 374,000 | +15% |
| 2014 | 325,000 | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 311,000 | −3.1% |
| 2012 | 321,000 | +19% |
| 2011 | 270,000 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 268,000 | −13% |
| 2009 | 308,000 | +6.9% |
| 2008 | 288,000 | −6.5% |
| 2007 | 308,000 | +5.5% |
| 2006 | 292,000 | −1.7% |
| 2005 | 297,000 | −2.6% |
| 2004 | 305,000 | +11% |
| 2003 | 275,000 | −10% |
| 2002 | 307,000 | +9.4% |
| 2001 | 280,615 | −5.4% |
| 2000 | 296,745 | +24% |
| 1999 | 238,535 | −10% |
| 1998 | 265,635 | +4.7% |
| 1997 | 253,638 | +11% |
| 1996 | 229,086 | +16% |
| 1995 | 197,370 | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 193,348 | +34% |
| 1993 | 144,521 | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 137,405 | +10% |
| 1991 | 124,773 | +5.6% |
| 1990 | 118,109 | −7.7% |
| 1989 | 128,000 | +0.1% |
| 1988 | 127,900 | −7.6% |
| 1987 | 138,400 | +22% |
| 1986 | 113,300 | −11% |
| 1985 | 127,300 | +17% |
| 1984 | 109,255 | −4.5% |
| 1983 | 114,390 | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 111,910 | +33% |
| 1981 | 84,342 | −20% |
| 1980 | 105,727 | +17% |
| 1979 | 90,300 | +12% |
| 1978 | 80,727 | −0.4% |
| 1977 | 81,028 | −23% |
| 1976 | 104,798 | +18% |
| 1975 | 88,609 | −0.5% |
| 1974 | 89,032 | −12% |
| 1973 | 101,105 | −3.1% |
| 1972 | 104,298 | −3.3% |
| 1971 | 107,849 | +7.6% |
| 1970 | 100,200 | +2.7% |
| 1969 | 97,600 | −13% |
| 1968 | 111,600 | +0.1% |
| 1967 | 111,500 | +5.6% |
| 1966 | 105,600 | −0.6% |
| 1965 | 106,200 | +12% |
| 1964 | 95,100 | −3.4% |
| 1963 | 98,400 | −2.2% |
| 1962 | 100,600 | +1.5% |
| 1961 | 99,100 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 338,680 t USD 1.48 bn
- Exporter rank
- 7 of 123
- Imports
- 7,958 t USD 55.3 m
- Importer rank
- 72 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 New Zealand?
New Zealand produced 375,000 t in 2023, 1.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
New Zealand ranked 14th 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 New Zealand changed?
It rose by 21% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. The record was 380,000 t in 2018.
Does New Zealand export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 New Zealand reported exports of 338,680 t (USD 1.48 bn) and imports of 7,958 t (USD 55.3 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.