DATE: July 2026
SECTOR: Dairy, U.S. Agriculture, Global Trade
SOURCE: Rabobank, RaboResearch
TOPIC: Changing supply, demand and product trends in global dairy trade
SUMMARY: An analysis of how cheese growth, shifting import demand and expanding U.S. production are reshaping global dairy trade.
DESCRIPTION: RaboResearch’s World Dairy Map 2026 examines the changing patterns of global dairy trade, which has expanded at an average rate of around 2% per year since 2017. Cheese remains the strongest source of growth, while declining Chinese imports are redirecting exporters toward emerging markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Brazil. The report highlights the United States’ growing role in global supply: its share of dairy exports increased from 11.3% in 2017 to 13.5% in 2025, while U.S. cheese exports doubled over the same period and butter exports nearly tripled in 2025 alone. Looking ahead, continued investment in milk production and processing capacity means the United States is well positioned to support future trade growth as European production faces tighter constraints.
Access the full report: World Dairy Map 2026: Cheese Leads Growth as Supply Power Shifts
