Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats market in the Americas expanded from 2.6 million tons in 2018 to 2.9 million tons in 2023. Growth was particularly strong in 2020, followed by a slight contraction in 2021 before volumes recovered.

Market growth in 2022 and 2023 was driven by shifting consumer preferences toward natural and healthy dairy fats, which increased demand for butter over substitutes. The launch of new product formats like spreadable butter tubs in the U.S. and the popularity of butter boards in foodservice establishments further stimulated consumption.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production in the Americas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 835 K t, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Americas

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Americas exported 39 775 t of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, an 8.5% decline from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 43 493 t, which also saw the largest increase of 89.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from the Americas were exported to a wide range of markets. Russia accounted for 39.3% of exports in kind, Morocco for 2.5%, and Australia for 1.5%, together making up 43.3% of total exports. The remaining 56.7% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from the Americas declined. In 2020, export value amounted to 167.2 M $ US, a 25.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 11.3%, with an annualized rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 224.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 26.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the largest buyer of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from the Americas in value terms, accounting for 36.7% of exports, followed by Morocco at 2.1% and Iran at 1.2%. Together, these three markets represented 40.0% of total export value, with the rest coming from a diverse array of smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Americas

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into the Americas declined. In 2020, the region imported 49 737 t, a sharp 48.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.1%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 96 958 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand was the primary source for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into the Americas, making up 56.8% of imports in kind. France contributed 2.3%, and Ireland 2.2%, with these three countries together accounting for 61.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, imported volumes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into the Americas fell. In 2020, imports totaled 263.6 M $ US, down 53.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 567.9 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 61.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the leading supplier of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to the Americas in value terms, representing 57.1% of imports. France accounted for 2.6%, and Ireland for 2.2%, with these three suppliers together forming 61.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020