| Rank | Country | Production (MT) | Share % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 0 | — | Largest global supplier of lactose in export trade, supported by a deep whey and cheese-processing base. |
| 2 | European Union | 0 | — | Major exporter of dairy ingredients including lactose; trade is concentrated in western Europe. |
| 3 | New Zealand | 0 | — | Smaller lactose supplier than the US/EU, but relevant through integrated dairy ingredient exports. |
| 4 | Australia | 0 | — | Regional supplier with ingredient exports tied to whey processing and domestic dairy output. |
Major importers
- India Large dairy base and growing ingredient processing, but export availability is less transparent than in the US/EU.