Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The North American butter and dairy fats market volume grew from 2 057 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 224 thousand tons in 2020. This increase was driven by a sustained consumer shift toward natural and healthy fats, with butter favored over margarines, and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted home cooking and household demand.

After a correction to 2 139 thousand tons in 2021, the market stabilized near 2 129 thousand tons in 2022 before recovering to 2 204 thousand tons in 2023. The rebound was supported by product innovations like flavored butters and sustainable spreads, along with stricter regulations on trans fats that reinforced butter's appeal amid continued consumer preference for full-fat dairy.

In value terms, the market expanded from $8.8 billion USD in 2018 to $10.7 billion USD in 2023. A sharp 13% rise in 2022 reflected global supply chain pressures and regulatory changes affecting production costs, while growing demand for premium and organic butter contributed to higher price points.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Northern America

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

Northern America's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,205 thousand tons, marking a year-over-year rise of 7.3%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 9,201 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

Exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Northern America have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 3,604 tons, representing a sharp increase of 77.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 256.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 52.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Northern America were not highly concentrated. Australia accounted for 25.3% of exports, Hong Kong for 2.3%, and Tunisia for 2.2%, with these three countries together capturing only 29.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Northern America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 15.0 million US dollars worth of these products, which is 66.8% more than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 238.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Tunisia, and Hong Kong remained the main buyers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Northern America. Australia accounted for 13.6% of exports in value terms, Tunisia for 3.0%, and Hong Kong for 1.1%, jointly forming 17.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Northern America reached 22,413 tons, corresponding to a limited decline of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 23%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 19,828 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 23.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland were the key partners for imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Northern America. New Zealand accounted for 50.1% of imports, the United Kingdom for 3.2%, and Ireland for 2.9%, together making up 56.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Northern America declined. In 2020, imports came to 106.4 million US dollars, down by 13.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 123.5 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland were the main sources for imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Northern America. New Zealand accounted for 46.3% of imports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 2.7%, and Ireland for 2.4%, together absorbing 51.4% of total imports.

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

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