Cow milk production in New Zealand
In 2024 New Zealand produced 21.5 million t of cow milk, the 9th largest in the world (2.70% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 1.0%. The record was 21.9 million t in 2018.
- Production, 2024
- 21.5 million t
- World rank
- 9 of 183
- 10-year change
- +1.0%
- Record
- 21.9 million t
- 2018
Cow milk in New Zealand, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
New Zealand compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.7%
- 3.3% in 2014
- kg per person
- 4,130
- world 97.7
- 10-year change
- +1.0%
- world +22%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Pakistan | 24,794,050 | 3.1% |
| 8 | France | 24,204,280 | 3.0% |
| 9 | New Zealand | 21,531,000 | 2.7% |
| 10 | Turkey | 21,040,442 | 2.6% |
| 11 | Poland | 16,039,610 | 2.0% |
Map of world production of 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21,531,000 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 21,245,000 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 21,051,000 | −3.8% |
| 2021 | 21,886,376 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 21,871,305 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 21,786,167 | −0.7% |
| 2018 | 21,947,466 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 21,461,603 | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 21,175,530 | −3.5% |
| 2015 | 21,938,825 | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 21,319,715 | +9.5% |
| 2013 | 19,469,000 | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 19,129,000 | +10% |
| 2011 | 17,339,000 | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 17,010,456 | +3.2% |
| 2009 | 16,483,000 | +8.3% |
| 2008 | 15,216,840 | −2.6% |
| 2007 | 15,618,288 | +2.9% |
| 2006 | 15,172,464 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 14,637,894 | −2.6% |
| 2004 | 15,030,000 | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 14,349,000 | +3.5% |
| 2002 | 13,865,939 | +5.7% |
| 2001 | 13,119,412 | +7.2% |
| 2000 | 12,235,392 | +12% |
| 1999 | 10,881,408 | −4.4% |
| 1998 | 11,380,000 | +2.9% |
| 1997 | 11,058,000 | +10% |
| 1996 | 10,010,000 | +7.8% |
| 1995 | 9,285,000 | −5.4% |
| 1994 | 9,812,000 | +9.0% |
| 1993 | 9,003,000 | +12% |
| 1992 | 8,050,000 | +2.3% |
| 1991 | 7,871,000 | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 7,509,000 | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 7,252,000 | −6.4% |
| 1988 | 7,751,000 | +6.3% |
| 1987 | 7,292,000 | −11% |
| 1986 | 8,235,000 | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 7,884,000 | +3.4% |
| 1984 | 7,624,250 | +10% |
| 1983 | 6,915,950 | +2.0% |
| 1982 | 6,781,920 | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 6,683,970 | −0.2% |
| 1980 | 6,700,470 | +5.1% |
| 1979 | 6,374,250 | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 6,081,133 | −8.5% |
| 1977 | 6,648,788 | +1.3% |
| 1976 | 6,563,124 | +7.7% |
| 1975 | 6,096,615 | +7.2% |
| 1974 | 5,688,935 | −6.3% |
| 1973 | 6,069,780 | −2.8% |
| 1972 | 6,242,141 | +4.7% |
| 1971 | 5,962,442 | −0.4% |
| 1970 | 5,986,180 | −7.3% |
| 1969 | 6,458,882 | +4.5% |
| 1968 | 6,180,215 | −1.1% |
| 1967 | 6,251,430 | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 6,133,650 | +5.1% |
| 1965 | 5,836,100 | +5.7% |
| 1964 | 5,518,800 | +3.2% |
| 1963 | 5,346,500 | +2.3% |
| 1962 | 5,224,700 | +0.1% |
| 1961 | 5,217,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 231,311 t USD 258 m
- Exporter rank
- 14 of 110
- Imports
- 1,543 t USD 2.0 m
- Importer rank
- 108 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 New Zealand?
New Zealand produced 21.5 million t in 2024, 2.7% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does New Zealand rank in the world for production of cow milk?
New Zealand ranked 9th 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 New Zealand changed?
It rose by 1.0% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +22% for the world. The record was 21.9 million t in 2018.
Does New Zealand export or import raw milk of cattle?
In 2024 New Zealand reported exports of 231,311 t (USD 258 m) and imports of 1,543 t (USD 2.0 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.