> In 2023 South Africa produced 315,711 t of skim milk of cows, the 54th largest in the world (0.22% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 26%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Skim milk of cows](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2023

# Skim milk of cows production in South Africa

In 2023 South Africa produced 315,711 t of skim milk of cows, the 54th largest in the world (0.22% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 26%. The record was 1.0 million t in 1969.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.

[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 2023315,711 t
World rank54 of 128
10-year change−26%
Record1.0 million t1969

## Skim milk of cows in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2023

Share of world total0.22%0.33% in 2013
10-year change−26%world +11%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 52 | [Ethiopia](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/ethiopia/) | 384,509 | 0.27% |
| 53 | [Tunisia](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/tunisia/) | 335,348 | 0.23% |
| 54 | **South Africa** | 315,711 | 0.22% |
| 55 | [Lithuania](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/lithuania/) | 256,527 | 0.18% |
| 56 | [Nigeria](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/nigeria/) | 222,070 | 0.16% |

[Full ranking of 128 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/)

### Map of world production of skim milk of cows

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.

## By year

| Year | Tonnes | Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2023 | 315,711 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 305,783 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 299,826 | −1.9% |
| 2020 | 305,783 | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 279,970 | −53% |
| 2018 | 598,302 | +114% |
| 2017 | 278,981 | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 274,799 | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 266,352 | +1.9% |
| 2014 | 261,340 | −39% |
| 2013 | 426,082 | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 410,413 | +6.7% |
| 2011 | 384,786 | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 377,254 | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 371,734 | +4.4% |
| 2008 | 356,035 | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 340,018 | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 330,969 | +12% |
| 2005 | 294,560 | +13% |
| 2004 | 259,858 | +12% |
| 2003 | 231,715 | +26% |
| 2002 | 183,715 | −19% |
| 2001 | 226,915 | +19% |
| 2000 | 190,685 | +4.5% |
| 1999 | 182,400 | −46% |
| 1998 | 339,200 | +32% |
| 1997 | 257,600 | +99% |
| 1996 | 129,600 | −53% |
| 1995 | 275,200 | +22% |
| 1994 | 226,400 | −17% |
| 1993 | 272,000 | −15% |
| 1992 | 319,200 | +9.6% |
| 1991 | 291,200 | −30% |
| 1990 | 414,400 | +31% |
| 1989 | 315,200 | +6.8% |
| 1988 | 295,200 | +34% |
| 1987 | 220,800 | −9.5% |
| 1986 | 244,000 | −25% |
| 1985 | 325,600 | +7.4% |
| 1984 | 303,200 | −10% |
| 1983 | 338,400 | −12% |
| 1982 | 384,000 | +40% |
| 1981 | 273,600 | −12% |
| 1980 | 312,000 | −12% |
| 1979 | 356,000 | +9.3% |
| 1978 | 325,600 | −28% |
| 1977 | 453,600 | −9.0% |
| 1976 | 498,400 | −1.6% |
| 1975 | 506,400 | −16% |
| 1974 | 600,000 | −17% |
| 1973 | 724,800 | −15% |
| 1972 | 856,000 | +3.2% |
| 1971 | 829,600 | −6.8% |
| 1970 | 890,400 | −15% |
| 1969 | 1,043,200 | +5.2% |
| 1968 | 991,200 | +18% |
| 1967 | 840,000 | +17% |
| 1966 | 719,200 | −0.8% |
| 1965 | 724,800 | −5.2% |
| 1964 | 764,800 | +24% |
| 1963 | 616,800 | −31% |
| 1962 | 888,000 | −2.6% |
| 1961 | 912,000 | — |

## Trade, 2024

Exports48,359 t USD 29.9 m
Exporter rank5 of 91
Imports283 t USD 181,000
Importer rank83 of 176
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](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/)

## Questions and answers

### What is the production of skim milk of cows in South Africa?

South Africa produced 315,711 t in 2023, 0.22% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.

### Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of skim milk of cows?

South Africa ranked 54th of 128 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 12.3% of the world total.

### How has the production of skim milk of cows in South Africa changed?

It fell by 26% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +11% for the world. The record was 1.0 million t in 1969.

### Does South Africa export or import skim milk of cows?

In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 48,359 t (USD 29.9 m) and imports of 283 t (USD 181,000), 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 South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.

## Other large producers

[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/united-states/)[Germany](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/germany/)[France](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/france/)[New Zealand](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/new-zealand/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/india/)[Russia](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/russia/)[Ireland](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/ireland/)[Iran](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/iran/)[Netherlands](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/netherlands/)[Poland](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/poland/)[United Kingdom](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/united-kingdom/)[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/brazil/)
[All countries producing skim milk of cows](https://husfarm.com/production/skim-milk-of-cows/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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