Butter is a fatty product derived from milk in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion. It plays a vital role in the dairy economy as it is consumed as a healthy source of fat and multivitamins. According to the USDA Marketing Year 2025/2026, global butter production is 12.39 Million Metric Tons.
Several economic, agricultural, and environmental conditions affect butter production by country. This article covers the 10 countries' total butter output in MY 2025/2026, % of global production, statistics from previous years, and % year-over-year change.
List of largest butter producers by country:
10 leading butter-producing countries in 2025/2026, by USDA
| Country | Total Production (Metric Tons) | % Share of Global Production |
|---|---|---|
 India | 7.19 Million | 58% |
 European Union | 2.15 Million | 17% |
 United States | 1.08 Million | 9% |
 New Zealand | 535,000 | 4% |
 Russia | 277,000 | 2% |
 Mexico | 253,000 | 2% |
 United Kingdom | 199,000 | 2% |
 Belarus | 130,000 | 1% |
 China | 125,000 | 1% |
 Canada | 115,000 | 0.93% |
1. India
India is the world’s largest butter-producing country. Its total butter output was 7.19 million metric tons in MY 2025/2026, accounting for 58% of global production. In 2024/2025, the South Asian nation’s total butter production was 6.98 million metric tons, a 3% year-over-year change.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 6.19 Million Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
- Year-over-year change: 3%
2. European Union
In MY 2025/2026, the European Union produced 2.15 million metric tons of butter - second highest in the world after India. The region accounted for 17% of global butter output. In 2024/2025, the EU’s butter production was around 2.11 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 2.1 Million Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 0.62%
- Year-over-year change: 2%
3. United States
The United States contributed 9% of global butter production in MY 2025/2026, amounting to 1.08 million metric tons. In 2024/2025, total butter produced in the US was 1.01 million metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 936,000 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
- Year-over-year change: 7%
4. New Zealand
A leading butter-producing country, New Zealand has a global production share of 4%. It produced 535,000 metric tons, up about 4% year over year. In 2024/2025, production reached 515,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 520,000 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: -0.63%
- Year-over-year change: 4%
5. Russia
Russia contributed 2% of the total share in MY 2025/2026 and is the fifth-largest butter-producing country. It produced 277,000 metric tons of butter, with a -1% year-over-year change. In 2024/2025, total butter production in Russia was 280,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 270,600 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
- Year-over-year change: -1%
6. Mexico
Mexico is currently the sixth-largest producer of butter worldwide. The South American country produced 253,000 metric tons of butter and contributed 2% of global production in MY 2025/2026. Mexico’s total butter output for MY 2024/2025 was 250,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 235,100 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 2%
- Year-over-year change: 1%
7. United Kingdom
In the current MY 2025/2026, the United Kingdom produced 199,000 metric tons of butter, representing 2% of the world’s butter production. In the previous MY 2024/2025, the UK’s total butter output was 200,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 186,300 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 3%
- Year-over-year change: -0.50%
8. Belarus
With a total output of 130,000 metric tons in MY 2025/2026, Belarus is one of the largest butter producers. It accounts for a 1% share of global production. The European country recorded 127,000 metric tons of butter production in MY 2024/2025, the previous year.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 121,500 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 0.97%
- Year-over-year change: 2%
9. China
Next on the list of butter production by country is China. Total production in China was 125,000 metric tons in MY 2025/2026, contributing 1% of global output. In the previous marketing year, the Asian country’s butter production was around 115,000 metric tons.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 109,100 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 2%
- Year-over-year change: 9%
10. Canada
Canada's total butter production was 115,000 metric tons in MY 2025/2026, accounting for a 0.93% share of global output. In MY 2024/2025, the North American nation produced 113,000 metric tons of butter, a 2% year-over-year change.
- 10-Year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 114,300 Metric Tons
- Compound average growth: 2%
- Year-over-year change: 2%
