Cow milk production in China
In 2024 China produced 40.8 million t of cow milk, the 3rd largest in the world (5.12% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 29%. The record was 42.0 million t in 2023.
- Production, 2024
- 40.8 million t
- World rank
- 3 of 183
- 10-year change
- +29%
- Record
- 42.0 million t
- 2023
Cow milk in China, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 5.1%
- 4.8% in 2014
- kg per person
- 28.7
- world 97.7
- 10-year change
- +29%
- world +22%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 135,000,000 | 16.9% |
| 2 | United States | 102,452,123 | 12.9% |
| 3 | China | 40,790,000 | 5.1% |
| 4 | Brazil | 36,816,178 | 4.6% |
| 5 | Germany | 33,777,780 | 4.2% |
Map of world production of cow milk
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40,790,000 | −2.8% |
| 2023 | 41,966,500 | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 39,316,300 | +6.8% |
| 2021 | 36,827,000 | +7.1% |
| 2020 | 34,400,000 | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 32,012,394 | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 30,745,641 | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 30,386,209 | −0.8% |
| 2016 | 30,640,000 | −3.6% |
| 2015 | 31,798,000 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 31,599,000 | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 30,008,000 | −5.5% |
| 2012 | 31,749,000 | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 31,099,000 | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 30,389,000 | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 29,951,000 | −0.5% |
| 2008 | 30,106,000 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 29,471,000 | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 29,446,000 | +6.9% |
| 2005 | 27,533,700 | +22% |
| 2004 | 22,606,000 | +29% |
| 2003 | 17,463,000 | +34% |
| 2002 | 12,998,000 | +27% |
| 2001 | 10,255,000 | +24% |
| 2000 | 8,274,000 | +15% |
| 1999 | 7,175,939 | +8.4% |
| 1998 | 6,621,000 | +10% |
| 1997 | 6,011,000 | −4.5% |
| 1996 | 6,294,000 | +9.2% |
| 1995 | 5,764,000 | +9.0% |
| 1994 | 5,288,000 | +6.1% |
| 1993 | 4,986,000 | −0.9% |
| 1992 | 5,031,000 | +8.3% |
| 1991 | 4,647,000 | +12% |
| 1990 | 4,157,000 | +9.0% |
| 1989 | 3,813,000 | +4.2% |
| 1988 | 3,660,000 | +11% |
| 1987 | 3,301,000 | +14% |
| 1986 | 2,899,000 | +16% |
| 1985 | 2,499,000 | +14% |
| 1984 | 2,186,000 | +18% |
| 1983 | 1,845,000 | +14% |
| 1982 | 1,618,000 | +25% |
| 1981 | 1,291,000 | +13% |
| 1980 | 1,141,000 | +33% |
| 1979 | 855,000 | −22% |
| 1978 | 1,100,000 | +22% |
| 1977 | 900,000 | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 870,000 | +3.6% |
| 1975 | 840,000 | +5.0% |
| 1974 | 800,000 | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 770,000 | +6.2% |
| 1972 | 725,000 | +6.6% |
| 1971 | 680,000 | +6.3% |
| 1970 | 640,000 | +6.7% |
| 1969 | 600,000 | +3.4% |
| 1968 | 580,000 | −4.9% |
| 1967 | 610,000 | −3.2% |
| 1966 | 630,000 | −2.3% |
| 1965 | 645,000 | +0.8% |
| 1964 | 640,000 | +0.8% |
| 1963 | 635,000 | +2.4% |
| 1962 | 620,000 | +3.3% |
| 1961 | 600,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 29,914 t USD 26.0 m
- Exporter rank
- 31 of 110
- Imports
- 358,926 t USD 376 m
- Importer rank
- 7 of 188
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 cow milk in China?
China produced 40.8 million t in 2024, 5.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of cow milk?
China ranked 3rd of 183 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 16.9% of the world total.
How has the production of cow milk in China changed?
It rose by 29% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +22% for the world. The record was 42.0 million t in 2023.
Does China export or import raw milk of cattle?
In 2024 China reported exports of 29,914 t (USD 26.0 m) and imports of 358,926 t (USD 376 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.