Global dairy trade is continuing its long-term expansion, growing at an average rate of 2% annually, with cheese emerging as the primary driver of trade growth, according to Rabobank’s World Dairy Map 2026. The report projects global dairy trade to reach 101.2 billion kilograms of liquid milk equivalent (LME) in 2025, representing an 11% increase since 2017.
The European Union remains the world’s largest dairy exporter with 27.5 billion kg LME in 2025 (excluding intra-EU trade), although its market share is gradually declining as exporters from the United States, Argentina and Uruguay continue to expand. New Zealand remains the largest single-country exporter, accounting for 22% of global dairy trade, while the US increased its export share from 11.3% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2025, highlighting shifting competitive dynamics in global dairy markets.
On the demand side, China remains the world’s largest dairy importer, but declining import volumes are prompting exporters to diversify into faster-growing markets across the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Brazil. Rabobank identified cheese as the strongest-performing dairy category, while growth in milk powders has slowed. Butter exports have also increased, supported by stronger US shipments, and whey continues to benefit from rising global demand for protein-rich products. The report also noted that limited domestic dairy production in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman is increasing dependence on dairy imports, although geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz could affect future trade flows. (DairyNews)
Source: Dairynews7x7 9 July, 2026 Read full story here
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