All milk production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 3.9 million t of all milk, the 36th largest in the world (0.39% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 16%. This is the highest figure on record.
- Production, 2024
- 3.9 million t
- World rank
- 36 of 184
- 10-year change
- +16%
- Record
- 3.9 million t
- 2024
All milk in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.39%
- 0.42% in 2014
- kg per person
- 60.7
- world 121
- 10-year change
- +16%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Austria | 4,058,480 | 0.41% |
| 35 | Venezuela | 4,021,871 | 0.41% |
| 36 | South Africa | 3,883,000 | 0.39% |
| 37 | Uganda | 3,850,000 | 0.39% |
| 38 | Ethiopia | 3,791,726 | 0.39% |
Map of world production of milk
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,883,000 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 3,810,000 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 3,764,000 | −1.6% |
| 2021 | 3,825,000 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 3,853,000 | −0.5% |
| 2019 | 3,873,000 | +3.2% |
| 2018 | 3,752,610 | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 3,642,780 | +2.6% |
| 2016 | 3,548,828 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 3,538,435 | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 3,337,018 | +2.4% |
| 2013 | 3,260,291 | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 3,214,000 | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 3,107,000 | −0.5% |
| 2010 | 3,123,000 | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 2,997,000 | −1.5% |
| 2008 | 3,042,000 | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 2,988,000 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 2,950,000 | −3.1% |
| 2005 | 3,044,000 | +15% |
| 2004 | 2,640,000 | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 2,591,000 | +3.4% |
| 2002 | 2,507,000 | −6.1% |
| 2001 | 2,670,000 | +16% |
| 2000 | 2,306,000 | −23% |
| 1999 | 2,996,000 | +5.1% |
| 1998 | 2,851,000 | +8.1% |
| 1997 | 2,638,000 | −7.1% |
| 1996 | 2,840,000 | +8.2% |
| 1995 | 2,624,000 | +10.0% |
| 1994 | 2,386,000 | −2.2% |
| 1993 | 2,439,000 | −2.7% |
| 1992 | 2,506,000 | −7.4% |
| 1991 | 2,705,000 | +9.3% |
| 1990 | 2,475,000 | +5.3% |
| 1989 | 2,350,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 2,350,000 | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 2,300,000 | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 2,200,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 2,200,000 | −8.3% |
| 1984 | 2,400,000 | −5.9% |
| 1983 | 2,550,000 | 0.0% |
| 1982 | 2,550,000 | +2.0% |
| 1981 | 2,500,000 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | 2,500,000 | +2.0% |
| 1979 | 2,450,000 | +3.4% |
| 1978 | 2,370,000 | −6.3% |
| 1977 | 2,529,000 | −0.4% |
| 1976 | 2,539,000 | +1.6% |
| 1975 | 2,500,000 | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 2,478,000 | −11% |
| 1973 | 2,792,000 | −3.2% |
| 1972 | 2,885,000 | +7.4% |
| 1971 | 2,687,000 | −7.7% |
| 1970 | 2,912,000 | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 2,850,000 | −3.4% |
| 1968 | 2,950,000 | +6.1% |
| 1967 | 2,780,000 | +9.3% |
| 1966 | 2,544,000 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 2,530,000 | +20% |
| 1964 | 2,115,000 | −12% |
| 1963 | 2,417,000 | −3.5% |
| 1962 | 2,503,731 | −2.1% |
| 1961 | 2,557,162 | — |
Questions and answers
What is the production of milk in South Africa?
South Africa produced 3.9 million t in 2024, 0.39% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of milk?
South Africa ranked 36th of 184 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 25.2% of the world total.
How has the production of milk in South Africa changed?
It rose by 16% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
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.