| Rank | Country | Production (MT) | Share % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 0 | 15 | Pasture-based dairy system with Fonterra and other co-ops dominating; large share of milkfat routed to export butter and AMF, sold mainly via GlobalDairyTrade auctions.[3] |
| 1 | India | 5,476,098 | 41.7 | |
| 2 | Ireland | 0 | 8 | Large net exporter of butter within the EU single market, with grass-based seasonal milk production and strong branded and bulk butter trade. |
| 5 | New Zealand | 462,400 | 3.5 |
Major importers
- Netherlands Key EU butter producer and trading hub with substantial intra‑EU trade flows; also one of the largest global importers by value for re-export and internal use.[1]
- France Major EU butter producer with strong domestic consumption and premium PDO/PGI segments; also the largest butter importer by value globally, reflecting both internal EU and extra‑EU flows.[1]
- Germany Large dairy producer with significant butter output largely traded within the EU, both as bulk industrial butter and retail private label.
- United States Large domestic butter market with growing exportable surplus; price discovery centered on CME spot and futures, with exports linked to U.S. Grade AA specs.[4]
- Pakistan
- USA
- Germany