GITNUXREPORT 2026

Dairy Industry Statistics

Global dairy production increased in 2022, led by India, the EU, and the United States.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global per capita milk availability increased to 122 kg in 2022.

Statistic 2

U.S. per capita cheese consumption hit 40.3 pounds in 2022.

Statistic 3

India's per capita milk consumption was 460 grams per day in 2022-23.

Statistic 4

EU-27 fluid milk consumption declined to 166 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 5

China's milk consumption grew 5.2% to 14.5 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 6

U.S. per capita yogurt consumption reached 13.5 pounds in 2022.

Statistic 7

Brazil's per capita milk consumption was 177 liters in 2022.

Statistic 8

Australia's per capita dairy consumption was 270 kg milk equivalents in 2022/23.

Statistic 9

World butter consumption totaled 5.6 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 10

U.S. per capita fluid milk consumption fell to 17.6 gallons in 2022.

Statistic 11

Japan's milk consumption per capita was 32.7 kg in 2022.

Statistic 12

New Zealand per capita cheese consumption was 28.5 kg in 2022.

Statistic 13

Germany's per capita milk consumption was 54 liters in 2022.

Statistic 14

Global yogurt consumption reached 18.4 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 15

Mexico's per capita cheese consumption was 7.5 kg in 2022.

Statistic 16

France butter consumption per capita 8.2 kg in 2022.

Statistic 17

U.S. ice cream consumption per capita 20.3 pounds in 2022.

Statistic 18

Russia's per capita milk consumption 260 liters in 2022.

Statistic 19

South Korea milk consumption per capita 40.1 liters in 2022.

Statistic 20

Italy's per capita cheese consumption 34.1 kg in 2022.

Statistic 21

World fresh cheese consumption 12.3 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 22

Argentina per capita milk consumption 190 liters in 2022.

Statistic 23

U.S. household dairy spending averaged $450 per year in 2022.

Statistic 24

Netherlands per capita dairy 320 kg milk equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 25

Turkey cheese consumption per capita 18 kg in 2022.

Statistic 26

Global milk consumption growth 2.1% in 2022.

Statistic 27

U.S. dairy industry contributed $127 billion to GDP in 2022.

Statistic 28

Global dairy market value reached $837 billion in 2022.

Statistic 29

U.S. dairy farm cash receipts $46.4 billion in 2022.

Statistic 30

EU dairy sector turnover €150 billion in 2022.

Statistic 31

India's dairy economy valued at $130 billion in 2022-23.

Statistic 32

New Zealand dairy exports 3.2% of GDP in 2022/23.

Statistic 33

U.S. dairy supports 2.97 million jobs in 2022.

Statistic 34

Brazil dairy market size $25 billion in 2022.

Statistic 35

Australia's dairy industry $6.3 billion farmgate value 2022/23.

Statistic 36

China dairy retail sales $90 billion in 2022.

Statistic 37

U.S. milk price average $24.30 per cwt in 2022.

Statistic 38

Global cheese market $120 billion in 2022.

Statistic 39

Ireland dairy €14.6 billion to economy in 2022.

Statistic 40

Netherlands dairy exports €7.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 41

U.S. dairy processing employment 250,000 in 2022.

Statistic 42

Russia dairy production value 2.5 trillion rubles in 2022.

Statistic 43

World yogurt market $112 billion in 2022.

Statistic 44

Germany's dairy industry 400,000 jobs in 2022.

Statistic 45

Mexico dairy consumption expenditure $15 billion in 2022.

Statistic 46

Dairy farming labor productivity US $1,200 per cow annually 2022.

Statistic 47

France dairy sector 210,000 jobs in 2022.

Statistic 48

U.S. dairy cooperatives revenue $55 billion 2022.

Statistic 49

Global butter market $40 billion in 2022.

Statistic 50

Argentina dairy exports $1.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 51

Dairy industry global investment $50 billion in 2022.

Statistic 52

U.S. dairy multiplier effect 2.4x GDP contribution 2022.

Statistic 53

In 2022, U.S. milk production totaled 226.2 billion pounds, an increase of 1.0 percent from 2021, with California leading at 41.2 billion pounds.

Statistic 54

Global milk production in 2022 reached 893 million metric tons, up 1.7% from the previous year, led by India at 230 million tons.

Statistic 55

New Zealand produced 21.2 billion liters of milk in the 2022/23 season, accounting for 3% of global supply.

Statistic 56

EU-27 milk production in 2022 was 156.2 million tons, with Ireland contributing 8.2 million tons.

Statistic 57

India's milk production grew to 230.6 million metric tons in 2022-23, a 4% increase year-over-year.

Statistic 58

U.S. cow milk production per cow averaged 24,087 pounds in 2022, up 318 pounds from 2021.

Statistic 59

Brazil's milk production hit 35.1 billion liters in 2022, with Minas Gerais state at 9.5 billion liters.

Statistic 60

Australia's milk production for 2022/23 was 8.8 billion liters, down 1.5% due to dry conditions.

Statistic 61

China produced 41.2 million tons of raw milk in 2022, increasing by 6.5%.

Statistic 62

Pakistan's milk production reached 30.8 million tons in 2022, buffalo milk comprising 60%.

Statistic 63

U.S. January 2023 milk production was 18.7 billion pounds, up 0.4% from January 2022.

Statistic 64

Germany's milk production in 2022 totaled 30.8 million tons, stable from prior year.

Statistic 65

Argentina produced 11.2 billion liters of milk in 2022, down 2% due to floods.

Statistic 66

Turkey's milk production was 22.8 million tons in 2022, with cow milk at 80%.

Statistic 67

France delivered 25.6 million tons of milk in 2022, up 0.5%.

Statistic 68

U.S. organic milk production was 5.2 billion pounds in 2022, growing 2%.

Statistic 69

Russia's milk production reached 32.4 million tons in 2022, up 2.3%.

Statistic 70

Mexico produced 12.4 billion liters in 2022, with 70% from small farms.

Statistic 71

Netherlands milk production quota was exceeded by 0.4% at 12.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 72

Egypt's milk production hit 10.5 million tons in 2022, mostly buffalo milk.

Statistic 73

U.S. dairy herd size averaged 9.35 million head in 2022.

Statistic 74

Bangladesh produced 14.2 million tons of milk in 2022, up 4.5%.

Statistic 75

Poland's milk production was 14.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 76

U.S. butter production in 2022 was 2.16 billion pounds, up 4.2%.

Statistic 77

Global cow milk production share: India 22%, EU 15%, US 13% in 2022.

Statistic 78

Denmark's milk production totaled 5.3 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 79

U.S. cheese production (except cottage) was 15.2 billion pounds in 2022.

Statistic 80

Ukraine produced 9.8 million tons of milk in 2022 despite conflict.

Statistic 81

South Africa's milk production was 3.2 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 82

Iran's milk production reached 11.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 83

Dairy production water footprint averages 628 liters per liter milk globally.

Statistic 84

U.S. dairy greenhouse gas emissions 2% of national total in 2022.

Statistic 85

Global dairy methane emissions 4% of anthropogenic total.

Statistic 86

EU dairy farms reduced carbon footprint 20% since 2010 by 2022.

Statistic 87

India's dairy smallholders use 70% fodder-based feed sustainably.

Statistic 88

New Zealand dairy 94% grass-fed reducing feed imports.

Statistic 89

U.S. dairy recycled 4.5 billion pounds manure to energy 2022.

Statistic 90

Global dairy water use efficiency improved 15% 2010-2022.

Statistic 91

Australia's dairy net emissions down 24% since 2005 per 2022 data.

Statistic 92

Brazil dairy deforestation linked to 5% Amazon loss reduction efforts.

Statistic 93

80% U.S. dairy farms participate in sustainability programs 2022.

Statistic 94

Dairy cattle feed 99% non-human edible globally.

Statistic 95

EU dairy nutrient surplus reduced 25% 1990-2022.

Statistic 96

China's dairy manure biogas plants cover 30% herds 2022.

Statistic 97

U.S. dairy packaging 92% recyclable 2022.

Statistic 98

Global dairy antibiotic use down 39% 2010-2022.

Statistic 99

Ireland dairy water use 3,200 liters per kg FPCM.

Statistic 100

50% U.S. milk from rBST-free herds 2022.

Statistic 101

Netherlands dairy phosphorus efficiency 85% 2022.

Statistic 102

World dairy biodiversity programs on 20% farms.

Statistic 103

U.S. dairy soil carbon sequestration potential 1.5 Mt CO2e/year.

Statistic 104

France dairy organic production 5.5% total 2022.

Statistic 105

Global dairy waste reduction 30% via upcycling 2022.

Statistic 106

Australia's dairy biodiversity score improved 15% 2010-2022.

Statistic 107

U.S. dairy energy use per liter milk down 30% since 1990.

Statistic 108

EU dairy feed efficiency up 25% 2000-2022.

Statistic 109

Mexico dairy renewable energy 15% farm use 2022.

Statistic 110

Dairy health benefits: calcium intake reduces osteoporosis risk by 30%.

Statistic 111

Probiotic yogurt linked to 10-15% improved gut health.

Statistic 112

U.S. exports of dairy products reached $9.4 billion in 2022, up 8.5%.

Statistic 113

New Zealand dairy exports totaled NZ$25.4 billion in 2022/23.

Statistic 114

EU dairy exports 15.2 million tons milk equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 115

India's milk powder exports fell to 50,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 116

U.S. cheese exports hit 1.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 117

Netherlands cheese exports 970,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 118

Global dairy trade volume 83 million tons milk equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 119

Australia's SMP exports 240,000 tons in 2022/23.

Statistic 120

Mexico imported 1.8 million tons milk powder equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 121

Ireland dairy exports €9.6 billion in 2022.

Statistic 122

China's dairy imports 4.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 123

U.S. nonfat dry milk exports 1.3 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 124

Germany dairy exports €7.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 125

Brazil exported 120,000 tons milk powder in 2022.

Statistic 126

World whey powder trade 1.4 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 127

New Zealand butter exports 340,000 tons in 2022/23.

Statistic 128

Algeria imported 350,000 tons milk powder in 2022.

Statistic 129

U.S. dairy trade surplus $5.8 billion in 2022.

Statistic 130

Denmark cheese exports 450,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 131

Philippines dairy imports 1.2 million tons equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 132

EU butter exports 280,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 133

U.S. whey protein concentrate exports record 720,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 134

Argentina cheese exports 100,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 135

Global SMP trade 2.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 136

Turkey dairy imports 1.5 million tons equiv. in 2022.

Statistic 137

France dairy exports €5.1 billion in 2022.

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From the vast dairy farms of India, which now produces over a fifth of the world's milk, to the high-tech barns of the U.S. where cows are more productive than ever, the global dairy industry is a titan of food production and a complex web of economic and environmental factors that shape what ends up in our grocery carts and on our tables.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, U.S. milk production totaled 226.2 billion pounds, an increase of 1.0 percent from 2021, with California leading at 41.2 billion pounds.
Global milk production in 2022 reached 893 million metric tons, up 1.7% from the previous year, led by India at 230 million tons.
New Zealand produced 21.2 billion liters of milk in the 2022/23 season, accounting for 3% of global supply.
Global per capita milk availability increased to 122 kg in 2022.
U.S. per capita cheese consumption hit 40.3 pounds in 2022.
India's per capita milk consumption was 460 grams per day in 2022-23.
U.S. exports of dairy products reached $9.4 billion in 2022, up 8.5%.
New Zealand dairy exports totaled NZ$25.4 billion in 2022/23.
EU dairy exports 15.2 million tons milk equiv. in 2022.
U.S. dairy industry contributed $127 billion to GDP in 2022.
Global dairy market value reached $837 billion in 2022.
U.S. dairy farm cash receipts $46.4 billion in 2022.
Dairy production water footprint averages 628 liters per liter milk globally.
U.S. dairy greenhouse gas emissions 2% of national total in 2022.
Global dairy methane emissions 4% of anthropogenic total.

Global dairy production increased in 2022, led by India, the EU, and the United States.

Consumption Statistics

Global per capita milk availability increased to 122 kg in 2022.
U.S. per capita cheese consumption hit 40.3 pounds in 2022.
India's per capita milk consumption was 460 grams per day in 2022-23.
EU-27 fluid milk consumption declined to 166 kg per capita in 2022.
China's milk consumption grew 5.2% to 14.5 kg per capita in 2022.
U.S. per capita yogurt consumption reached 13.5 pounds in 2022.
Brazil's per capita milk consumption was 177 liters in 2022.
Australia's per capita dairy consumption was 270 kg milk equivalents in 2022/23.
World butter consumption totaled 5.6 million tons in 2022.
U.S. per capita fluid milk consumption fell to 17.6 gallons in 2022.
Japan's milk consumption per capita was 32.7 kg in 2022.
New Zealand per capita cheese consumption was 28.5 kg in 2022.
Germany's per capita milk consumption was 54 liters in 2022.
Global yogurt consumption reached 18.4 million tons in 2022.
Mexico's per capita cheese consumption was 7.5 kg in 2022.
France butter consumption per capita 8.2 kg in 2022.
U.S. ice cream consumption per capita 20.3 pounds in 2022.
Russia's per capita milk consumption 260 liters in 2022.
South Korea milk consumption per capita 40.1 liters in 2022.
Italy's per capita cheese consumption 34.1 kg in 2022.
World fresh cheese consumption 12.3 million tons in 2022.
Argentina per capita milk consumption 190 liters in 2022.
U.S. household dairy spending averaged $450 per year in 2022.
Netherlands per capita dairy 320 kg milk equiv. in 2022.
Turkey cheese consumption per capita 18 kg in 2022.
Global milk consumption growth 2.1% in 2022.

Consumption Statistics Interpretation

The global dairy cravings are a study in delightful contradictions: while Americans are shifting away from milk gallons only to compensate with astounding cheese mountains and ice cream peaks, the world as a whole is steadily drinking, spreading, and spooning its way to a new creamy zenith.

Economic Statistics

U.S. dairy industry contributed $127 billion to GDP in 2022.
Global dairy market value reached $837 billion in 2022.
U.S. dairy farm cash receipts $46.4 billion in 2022.
EU dairy sector turnover €150 billion in 2022.
India's dairy economy valued at $130 billion in 2022-23.
New Zealand dairy exports 3.2% of GDP in 2022/23.
U.S. dairy supports 2.97 million jobs in 2022.
Brazil dairy market size $25 billion in 2022.
Australia's dairy industry $6.3 billion farmgate value 2022/23.
China dairy retail sales $90 billion in 2022.
U.S. milk price average $24.30 per cwt in 2022.
Global cheese market $120 billion in 2022.
Ireland dairy €14.6 billion to economy in 2022.
Netherlands dairy exports €7.5 billion in 2022.
U.S. dairy processing employment 250,000 in 2022.
Russia dairy production value 2.5 trillion rubles in 2022.
World yogurt market $112 billion in 2022.
Germany's dairy industry 400,000 jobs in 2022.
Mexico dairy consumption expenditure $15 billion in 2022.
Dairy farming labor productivity US $1,200 per cow annually 2022.
France dairy sector 210,000 jobs in 2022.
U.S. dairy cooperatives revenue $55 billion 2022.
Global butter market $40 billion in 2022.
Argentina dairy exports $1.2 billion in 2022.
Dairy industry global investment $50 billion in 2022.
U.S. dairy multiplier effect 2.4x GDP contribution 2022.

Economic Statistics Interpretation

The world's dairy cows are clearly running a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise where we, their human customers, are just writing the cheques and doing the dishes.

Production Statistics

In 2022, U.S. milk production totaled 226.2 billion pounds, an increase of 1.0 percent from 2021, with California leading at 41.2 billion pounds.
Global milk production in 2022 reached 893 million metric tons, up 1.7% from the previous year, led by India at 230 million tons.
New Zealand produced 21.2 billion liters of milk in the 2022/23 season, accounting for 3% of global supply.
EU-27 milk production in 2022 was 156.2 million tons, with Ireland contributing 8.2 million tons.
India's milk production grew to 230.6 million metric tons in 2022-23, a 4% increase year-over-year.
U.S. cow milk production per cow averaged 24,087 pounds in 2022, up 318 pounds from 2021.
Brazil's milk production hit 35.1 billion liters in 2022, with Minas Gerais state at 9.5 billion liters.
Australia's milk production for 2022/23 was 8.8 billion liters, down 1.5% due to dry conditions.
China produced 41.2 million tons of raw milk in 2022, increasing by 6.5%.
Pakistan's milk production reached 30.8 million tons in 2022, buffalo milk comprising 60%.
U.S. January 2023 milk production was 18.7 billion pounds, up 0.4% from January 2022.
Germany's milk production in 2022 totaled 30.8 million tons, stable from prior year.
Argentina produced 11.2 billion liters of milk in 2022, down 2% due to floods.
Turkey's milk production was 22.8 million tons in 2022, with cow milk at 80%.
France delivered 25.6 million tons of milk in 2022, up 0.5%.
U.S. organic milk production was 5.2 billion pounds in 2022, growing 2%.
Russia's milk production reached 32.4 million tons in 2022, up 2.3%.
Mexico produced 12.4 billion liters in 2022, with 70% from small farms.
Netherlands milk production quota was exceeded by 0.4% at 12.1 million tons in 2022.
Egypt's milk production hit 10.5 million tons in 2022, mostly buffalo milk.
U.S. dairy herd size averaged 9.35 million head in 2022.
Bangladesh produced 14.2 million tons of milk in 2022, up 4.5%.
Poland's milk production was 14.1 million tons in 2022.
U.S. butter production in 2022 was 2.16 billion pounds, up 4.2%.
Global cow milk production share: India 22%, EU 15%, US 13% in 2022.
Denmark's milk production totaled 5.3 million tons in 2022.
U.S. cheese production (except cottage) was 15.2 billion pounds in 2022.
Ukraine produced 9.8 million tons of milk in 2022 despite conflict.
South Africa's milk production was 3.2 billion liters in 2022.
Iran's milk production reached 11.5 million tons in 2022.

Production Statistics Interpretation

The global dairy industry in 2022, much like a determined cow, steadily marched forward in production despite a varied landscape of regional challenges and champions, from India's colossal output to a single, impressively productive American cow.

Sustainability Statistics

Dairy production water footprint averages 628 liters per liter milk globally.
U.S. dairy greenhouse gas emissions 2% of national total in 2022.
Global dairy methane emissions 4% of anthropogenic total.
EU dairy farms reduced carbon footprint 20% since 2010 by 2022.
India's dairy smallholders use 70% fodder-based feed sustainably.
New Zealand dairy 94% grass-fed reducing feed imports.
U.S. dairy recycled 4.5 billion pounds manure to energy 2022.
Global dairy water use efficiency improved 15% 2010-2022.
Australia's dairy net emissions down 24% since 2005 per 2022 data.
Brazil dairy deforestation linked to 5% Amazon loss reduction efforts.
80% U.S. dairy farms participate in sustainability programs 2022.
Dairy cattle feed 99% non-human edible globally.
EU dairy nutrient surplus reduced 25% 1990-2022.
China's dairy manure biogas plants cover 30% herds 2022.
U.S. dairy packaging 92% recyclable 2022.
Global dairy antibiotic use down 39% 2010-2022.
Ireland dairy water use 3,200 liters per kg FPCM.
50% U.S. milk from rBST-free herds 2022.
Netherlands dairy phosphorus efficiency 85% 2022.
World dairy biodiversity programs on 20% farms.
U.S. dairy soil carbon sequestration potential 1.5 Mt CO2e/year.
France dairy organic production 5.5% total 2022.
Global dairy waste reduction 30% via upcycling 2022.
Australia's dairy biodiversity score improved 15% 2010-2022.
U.S. dairy energy use per liter milk down 30% since 1990.
EU dairy feed efficiency up 25% 2000-2022.
Mexico dairy renewable energy 15% farm use 2022.
Dairy health benefits: calcium intake reduces osteoporosis risk by 30%.
Probiotic yogurt linked to 10-15% improved gut health.

Sustainability Statistics Interpretation

While dairy's environmental hoofprint is still substantial, the global herd is showing udderly serious progress, with water efficiency up, emissions down, and farmers from the U.S. to the EU energetically churning waste into resourceful solutions.

Trade Statistics

U.S. exports of dairy products reached $9.4 billion in 2022, up 8.5%.
New Zealand dairy exports totaled NZ$25.4 billion in 2022/23.
EU dairy exports 15.2 million tons milk equiv. in 2022.
India's milk powder exports fell to 50,000 tons in 2022.
U.S. cheese exports hit 1.1 million tons in 2022.
Netherlands cheese exports 970,000 tons in 2022.
Global dairy trade volume 83 million tons milk equiv. in 2022.
Australia's SMP exports 240,000 tons in 2022/23.
Mexico imported 1.8 million tons milk powder equiv. in 2022.
Ireland dairy exports €9.6 billion in 2022.
China's dairy imports 4.1 million tons in 2022.
U.S. nonfat dry milk exports 1.3 million metric tons in 2022.
Germany dairy exports €7.2 billion in 2022.
Brazil exported 120,000 tons milk powder in 2022.
World whey powder trade 1.4 million tons in 2022.
New Zealand butter exports 340,000 tons in 2022/23.
Algeria imported 350,000 tons milk powder in 2022.
U.S. dairy trade surplus $5.8 billion in 2022.
Denmark cheese exports 450,000 tons in 2022.
Philippines dairy imports 1.2 million tons equiv. in 2022.
EU butter exports 280,000 tons in 2022.
U.S. whey protein concentrate exports record 720,000 tons in 2022.
Argentina cheese exports 100,000 tons in 2022.
Global SMP trade 2.1 million tons in 2022.
Turkey dairy imports 1.5 million tons equiv. in 2022.
France dairy exports €5.1 billion in 2022.

Trade Statistics Interpretation

The world's dairy trade reveals a serious game of global chess, where the U.S. is aggressively checkmating with a protein-heavy strategy while traditional giants defend their thrones, yet it's the insatiable appetites of China, Mexico, and Turkey that truly move the board.

Sources & References

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