Cheese from whole cow milk production in United States
In 2023 United States produced 6.4 million t of cheese from whole cow milk, the largest total in the world (27.9% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 28%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Production, 2023
- 6.4 million t
- World rank
- 1 of 95
- 10-year change
- +28%
- Record
- 6.4 million t
- 2023
Cheese from whole cow milk in United States, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
United States compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 27.9%
- 27.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +28%
- world +25%
Position in the world ranking
Map of world production of cheese from whole 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 | 6,420,928 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 6,388,679 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 6,241,897 | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 6,005,461 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 5,959,034 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 5,913,715 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 5,733,390 | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 5,525,512 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 5,366,686 | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 5,221,803 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 5,035,684 | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 4,937,922 | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 4,805,820 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 4,737,045 | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 4,569,800 | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 4,495,614 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 4,400,069 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 4,320,267 | +4.1% |
| 2005 | 4,150,063 | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 4,024,800 | +3.7% |
| 2003 | 3,881,500 | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 3,876,980 | +3.5% |
| 2001 | 3,746,958 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 3,745,765 | +3.9% |
| 1999 | 3,603,500 | +6.0% |
| 1998 | 3,398,000 | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 3,325,000 | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 3,273,820 | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 3,137,450 | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 3,054,000 | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 2,961,000 | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 2,943,000 | +7.2% |
| 1991 | 2,746,500 | −0.1% |
| 1990 | 2,748,500 | +7.9% |
| 1989 | 2,547,000 | +0.8% |
| 1988 | 2,527,000 | +4.2% |
| 1987 | 2,424,000 | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 2,362,850 | +2.5% |
| 1985 | 2,304,650 | +8.7% |
| 1984 | 2,120,000 | −3.0% |
| 1983 | 2,186,100 | +6.1% |
| 1982 | 2,060,100 | +6.2% |
| 1981 | 1,940,259 | +7.4% |
| 1980 | 1,806,715 | +7.2% |
| 1979 | 1,686,100 | +5.6% |
| 1978 | 1,596,490 | +4.8% |
| 1977 | 1,523,398 | +1.2% |
| 1976 | 1,506,030 | +18% |
| 1975 | 1,275,226 | −4.3% |
| 1974 | 1,332,362 | +9.4% |
| 1973 | 1,218,053 | +3.1% |
| 1972 | 1,181,428 | +9.7% |
| 1971 | 1,076,970 | +7.9% |
| 1970 | 998,550 | +11% |
| 1969 | 902,457 | +2.3% |
| 1968 | 881,779 | +1.3% |
| 1967 | 870,362 | +3.5% |
| 1966 | 840,960 | +5.6% |
| 1965 | 796,261 | +1.8% |
| 1964 | 781,808 | +5.6% |
| 1963 | 740,173 | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 722,115 | −2.6% |
| 1961 | 741,393 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 488,108 t USD 2.33 bn
- Exporter rank
- 5 of 123
- Imports
- 205,143 t USD 1.94 bn
- Importer rank
- 11 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 United States?
United States produced 6.4 million t in 2023, 27.9% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world for production of cheese from whole cow milk?
United States was the world’s largest producer in 2023, ahead of Germany.
How has the production of cheese from whole cow milk in United States changed?
It rose by 28% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +25% for the world. 2023 was the highest figure on record.
Does United States export or import cheese from whole cow milk?
In 2024 United States reported exports of 488,108 t (USD 2.33 bn) and imports of 205,143 t (USD 1.94 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.