The United States produced about ***** billion pounds of milk for human consumption in 2024. In 2000, this figure amounted to around ***** billion pounds. The volume of cow milk produced worldwide has risen steadily over the last several years. U.S. milk market While milk production has seen an increase over the last several years, milk retail sales have been dropping. The retail price of milk has been fluctuating for the past several years and peaked in 2022 at **** U.S. dollars per gallon. Leading U.S. milk brands Among the dairy brands in the U.S., private label milk has a higher level of sales than any name brand whole milk. Among name brands of whole milk, Hood generated the most dollar sales, at over *** million U.S. dollars in 2022. In the flavored milk category, the leading name brand was TruMoo, which sold nearly ** million units in 2018. However, private label flavored milk sold many more units than even the leading name brand.

This statistic shows the ten U.S. states with the highest amount of milk production from 2020 to 2023. California, is the leading producer, where over four million pounds of milk were produced in 2023. Milk productionDairy farming is an agricultural business which is engaged in the long-term milk production within the dairy industry. It is a large contributor to the overall economy in many states. California, Wisconsin, New York, Idaho and Pennsylvania had the highest milk supply.The number of U.S. dairy farms has sharply decreased in the last decades, while dairy operations have ever-larger numbers of cows concentrated on a single farm. These extensive dairy farming conditions with a large herd size and a high milk output are seen as a profitable way for the milk industry in order to provide milk at relatively low cost for the consumer. Due to its high milk volume, the main cow used for milk production is the Holstein-Friesian. However, with this intensification of milking cows there comes a corresponding concentration of manure production which causes problems and challenges for the environment such as the risk of elevated nitrogen levels or contaminated ground water.Due to these environmental impacts, many dairy operations in Wisconsin are now facing opposition regarding plans to expand their dairy herds.

The amount of milk produced per cow in the United States has increased each year since 1999, from 17.76 thousand pounds per year to around 24.2 thousand pounds in 2024. This figure is expected to slightly increase by 2025. Milk Production Worldwide On a global scale, the production volume of cow milk reached over 544 million metric tons in 2022. In that same year, the 27 member states of the European Union produced the most milk of any country, by a large margin. The United States was the second leading producer of milk that year. Declining Milk Consumption in the U.S. While the global production volume of milk, as well as milk production per cow have increased significantly over the last several years, per capita consumption of fluid milk in the United States has seen a steady decrease year after year. In 2000, the average American consumed around 197 pounds of milk over the course of the year, and by 2020, the per capita consumption of fluid milk stood at only 134 pounds.

This dataset provides information on the number of milk cows, production of milk per cow and total milk production by state and region in the United States from the year 1970 to 2021.

Representative dairy farms were modeled using the Integrated Farm System Model with 20 farms in each of 6 regions of the United States for the years of 1971 and 2020 to determine improvements made in reducing environmental impacts over the 50-year period. Important data and information describing these farms are documented in these tables. These data include the farm location, number of cows and heifers maintained, milk produced, feeds and nutrient contents fed, crop areas, crop yields, fertilizer and lime application rates, irrigation water applied, milking and housing facilities, manure collection, storage and application methods used, and soil characteristics. These data are published as supplementary information for the article “Fifty years of environmental progress for United States dairy farms” published in the Journal of Dairy Science.

California was the leading U.S. state in terms of the overall number of milk cows, with a total of over 1.7 million milk cows as of 2024. The total number of milk cows on farms in the United States shows that California holds a significant share of the total number of milk cows in the country. Unsurprisingly, California is also the leading milk producing state in the United States. Dairy industry in the U.S. According to the USDA, milk from U.S. farms is 90 percent water, with milk fat and skim solids making up the remaining 10 percent. Cow milk is a component of several dietary staples, such as cheese, butter, and yoghurt. Dairy is a very important industry in the United States, with this sector alone creating significant employment throughout the United States. The overall income of dairy farms in the U.S. amounted to about 51.3 billion U.S. dollars. Holtsein is the most popular breed of dairy cow farmed in the United States. Holstein have the highest milk production per cow in comparison to any other breed. Where is the U.S. positioned in the global dairy market? Topped only by the EU-27, the United States ranks as the second largest cow milk producer in the world, followed by India, Russia, and China. The United States also features among the top ten global milk exporters. The outlook for the future of the industry is also good, with milk production in the United States projected to steadily increase over the next years.

United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Milk Per Cow data was reported at 26,630.000 lb in 2034. This records an increase from the previous number of 26,380.000 lb for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Milk Per Cow data is updated yearly, averaging 25,170.000 lb from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26,630.000 lb in 2034 and a record low of 24,087.000 lb in 2022. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Milk Per Cow data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI039: Agricultural Projections: Dairy.

Soy and almond milk producers have experienced significant expansion, as these plant-based alternatives become integral to many consumers' diets. With increasing awareness of health and environmental benefits, coupled with dietary preferences shifting towards sustainable options, these products have solidified their market presence. This stability has safeguarded demand against economic fluctuations, ensuring consistent growth even amid financial uncertainties. The trend reflects a broader movement towards plant-based consumption, underscoring lasting consumer interest. Revenue is expected to have risen at a CAGR of 1.9% through the end of 2024 to reach $3.4 billion in 2024, although revenue is forecast to inch down 1.0% in 2024 alone. Soy and almond milk producers have thrived as consumers have become more health-conscious. Swelling per capita disposable income throughout most of the period encouraged consumers to spend money on healthier food and drinks. Demand for almond milk, in particular, has surged at the expense of soy milk, the industry's original top product. Over the past five years, key input prices have shifted dramatically. Expanded competition among soy and almond milk producers has compounded these issues, forcing producers to face some profit compression. The industry is highly concentrated, with the top two players controlling more than half of the market. Danone and Blue Diamond benefit from exclusive contracts with major retailers and brand-name recognition that give them advantages on grocery store shelves. Despite the dominance of these two companies, competition is climbing, especially from private labels, as retailers recognize the boosting popularity of almond milk and other dairy alternatives. As more consumers demand healthy food and beverage products, dairy alternatives will continue to see burgeoning demand. As consumer spending climbs, more consumers may splurge on pricier goods like almond and coconut milk. Still, soy and almond producers will continue to compete with organic and other nondairy milk products, intensifying external competition. Input costs will also continue to fluctuate, contributing to a stagnation in profit. Revenue is expected to continue to expand at a CAGR of 1.7% over the next five years to $3.7 in 2029.

Forecast: Milk Production in the US 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Milk Production Level in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Number of Milk Cows data was reported at 9,502.000 Unit in 2034. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,466.000 Unit for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Number of Milk Cows data is updated yearly, averaging 9,402.000 Unit from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,502.000 Unit in 2034 and a record low of 9,335.000 Unit in 2024. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Number of Milk Cows data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI039: Agricultural Projections: Dairy.

United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Supply & Use, Milk-Fat Basis: Marketings data was reported at 252.118 lb bn in 2034. This records an increase from the previous number of 248.687 lb bn for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Supply & Use, Milk-Fat Basis: Marketings data is updated yearly, averaging 235.598 lb bn from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 252.118 lb bn in 2034 and a record low of 224.821 lb bn in 2024. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Supply & Use, Milk-Fat Basis: Marketings data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI039: Agricultural Projections: Dairy.

Operators in this industry produce organic milk, as defined by the US Department of Agriculture. Organic milk comes from cows that have been exclusively fed organic feed, have not been treated with synthetic hormones, are not given certain medications to treat sickness, and are held in pens with adequate space.

This carbon footprint study for fluid milk was commissioned in order to identify where the industry can innovate to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the supply chain. To proactively meet the needs of the marketplace, the U.S. dairy industry is working together to further improve environmental performance in a way that makes good business sense for the entire supply chain. In January 2009, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy -- which represents approximately 80% of the dairy industry -- endorsed a voluntary goal to reduce GHG emissions of fluid milk by 25% by 2020. Based on a preliminary assessment of GHG emissions, a portfolio of ten mitigation projects across the supply chain were launched in 2009. At the same time, the industry commissioned a greenhouse gas life cycle assessment, or carbon footprint study, for fluid milk in order to identify where the industry can innovate to reduce GHG emissions across the supply chain to achieve the greatest gains. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy selected the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas to conduct the first U.S. national-level fluid milk carbon footprint study, and Michigan Technological University was chosen to assist. The study provides a benchmark to measure the industry’s progress toward achieving its voluntary reduction goal. The data will serve as the foundation for the creation of best practices and decision-support tools for producers, processors and others throughout the dairy supply chain. The data are being released through the USDA -National Agricultural Library's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Digital Commons to provide transparency in the project and allow LCA practitioners working in the dairy industry access to the data to use and build upon. This study was limited to GHG emissions in order to estimate a carbon footprint for U.S. dairy operations (fluid milk). The study follows International Organization for Standardization (ISO) protocols to provide credibility, transparency and objectivity of the methods, data, and results. Part of the ISO compliance is an external review by a panel of LCA and agricultural experts. Their full review is included as an appendix to the main report, which is included in the link below. Fully ISO-compliant life cycle assessments are required to include additional environmental impact areas such as water quality, air quality, and/or human health, for example; interpretation of the results presented in this document, and more importantly, actions taken in response to the reported results should be used with caution because GHG emissions represent only a single dimension of the environmental impacts of fluid milk production. The Innovation Center is commissioning further studies to expand this work to include other environmental impact categories. Similarly, the unit processes in the database released here were developed specifically to measure the GHG emissions of fluid milk produced in the United States. Practitioners should use caution if using the upstream processes, developed here, outside the context of U.S. fluid milk production. The upstream processes developed in this project were developed for a specific purpose and were developed using industry specific information. The data may not be applicable outside of the context of this project. The National Agricultural Library and the University of Arkansas are currently collaborating to release the new product flows that stand alone developed through this project individually in the LCA Digital Commons. The complete project data are available at the links below. Resources in this dataset:Resource Title: Dairy Innovation - OLCA. File Name: Dairy_Innovation_OLCA_1_3.zipResource Description: Data files that contain processes, systems, and style sheets.

Forecast: Whole Fresh Cow Milk Producing Population in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Farm Use data was reported at 1.000 lb bn in 2034. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.000 lb bn for 2033. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Farm Use data is updated yearly, averaging 1.000 lb bn from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2034, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.000 lb bn in 2034 and a record low of 0.989 lb bn in 2023. United States Long Term Projections: Dairy: Milk Production & Marketings: Farm Use data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RI039: Agricultural Projections: Dairy.

Forecast: Dairy Cattle and Milk Production Industry Gross Output in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

USDA forecasts that milk production in the U.S. will rise by 2.1% in 2021 thanks to gains in yield per cow as well as a slight increase in the number of milk cows. The average yearly price received by farmers for cow milk in 2021 is predicted to grow by 3.9% y-o-y amidst a rally in prices for animal feed. Rising consumer demand for cheese and butter continues to drive the market on the backdrop of lower demand for beverage milk. Demand in Asia for imported dairy products features as another factor boosting milk processing in the U.S.

The leading producer of cow milk worldwide was the European Union in 2024. In that year, the 27 countries of the European Union collectively produced over 144 million metric tons of cow milk. The United States was ranked second with a production volume of around 104 million metric tons. International dairy trade The export value of dairy product worldwide reached about 66 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, down from around 70.6 billion U.S. dollars in the previous year. As the top producer of cow milk worldwide, the European Union also was the top exporter of dairy products. Leading dairy processors The Dairy Farmers of America, based in the United States, is one of the biggest players in the global dairy market, with sales reaching around 23 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Land O'Lakes Inc. ranked in second place with sales of around 16.8 billion U.S. dollars.

This data package contains information on USDA statistics on milk and dairy products production and supply, their utilization and commercial disappearance. It also provides information on wheat, meat and poultry cooking yield and adoption of genetically engineered crops in the United States.