Global dairy trade is continuing to expand at an average rate of around 2% annually, with cheese and butter emerging as the strongest growth drivers as exporters adapt to shifting global demand, according to the latest analysis based on Rabobank’s World Dairy Map 2026.
While overall trade has grown steadily, the composition of dairy exports is changing, with processors increasingly prioritizing higher-value products over commodity milk powders to improve profitability. The European Union remains the world’s largest dairy exporter, although its global market share has declined, while New Zealand continues to lead as the largest single-country exporter.
The United States is strengthening its competitive position through higher exports of cheese, butter and whey, supported by expanded processing capacity and competitive pricing. At the same time, Argentina and Uruguay are increasing their presence in global dairy markets, intensifying competition among major exporters.
On the demand side, China’s dairy imports have moderated due to stronger domestic production and weaker consumption, prompting exporters to diversify towards emerging markets such as Brazil, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The report concludes that the future of global dairy trade will increasingly be shaped by value-added, protein-rich products, changing consumer preferences and evolving international trade flows rather than volume growth alone. (logos-pres.md)
Source: Dairynews7x7 July, 2026 Read full story here
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