By the end of 2025, the total volume of global trade in dairy products exceeded 100 million metric tons of milk equivalent. For comparison, in 2017 this figure stood at 91.1 million metric tons, according to ugragroconsult, citing Agriland.
The EU remains the world’s largest exporter of dairy products, controlling about 27% of the market. At the same time, European suppliers are gradually losing ground in the global market. They are being actively squeezed out by competitors from the U.S., Argentina, and Uruguay (in this regard, it is worth recalling the EU-Mercosur agreement).
At the same time, key importers are shifting their focus. China is significantly reducing its purchases on foreign markets as it actively expands its own domestic production.
This situation is forcing the world’s leading exporters to restructure their logistics and more actively tap into alternative markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Brazil.
New Demand Patterns
Cheese has become the main driver of market growth across product categories. Since 2017, international trade in cheese has surged by approximately 40%.
The butter segment also showed significant growth in 2025, driven primarily by an increase in exports from the United States. At the same time, against this backdrop, the milk powder market remains relatively subdued and shows no signs of rapid growth.
Experts expect the trend of annual growth in global trade in dairy products, at around 2%, to continue. However, the prospects for producers in different regions will vary.
Due to strict regulatory rules and internal structural constraints, it will be extremely difficult for European farmers to increase their raw material production volumes.
According to analysts’ estimates, the United States and Argentina are in the most advantageous position, as they have the best conditions and resources to satisfy the growing global demand for dairy products.
