Market overview
The global dairy products market is worth USD 1.1 tn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.7 tn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Drinking milk is the largest by product segment.
| Scope | Milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, milk powder and other dairy products sold to consumers and food manufacturers, valued at retail and wholesale prices. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 1.1 tn |
| Value 2026 | USD 1.1 tn |
| Value 2036 | USD 1.7 tn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 533 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 679 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 2,060 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Dairy Products market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 1,097 bn |
| 2027 | USD 1,147 bn |
| 2028 | USD 1,198 bn |
| 2029 | USD 1,252 bn |
| 2030 | USD 1,308 bn |
| 2031 | USD 1,367 bn |
| 2032 | USD 1,429 bn |
| 2033 | USD 1,493 bn |
| 2034 | USD 1,560 bn |
| 2035 | USD 1,631 bn |
| 2036 | USD 1,704 bn |
Dairy Products market segmentation
By product
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking milk | 34.0% | 30.1% | USD 373 bn | 3.2% |
| Cheese | 24.0% | 25.8% | USD 263 bn | 5.2% |
| Yogurt and fermented milk | 14.0% | 15.8% | USD 154 bn | 5.7% |
| Butter, cream and fats | 11.0% | 10.7% | USD 121 bn | 4.2% |
| Milk powder and ingredients | 12.0% | 12.3% | USD 132 bn | 4.7% |
| Others | 5.0% | 5.4% | USD 54.9 bn | 5.2% |
By channel
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | 62.0% | 59.2% | USD 680 bn | 4.0% |
| Foodservice | 18.0% | 19.8% | USD 198 bn | 5.5% |
| Food manufacturing | 20.0% | 21.0% | USD 219 bn | 5.0% |
By fat content
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-fat | 54.0% | 50.0% | USD 593 bn | 3.7% |
| Reduced-fat | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 307 bn | 4.5% |
| Skimmed and fat-free | 18.0% | 22.0% | USD 198 bn | 6.6% |
By storage type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh and chilled | 52.0% | 48.0% | USD 571 bn | 3.7% |
| Ambient and long-life | 28.0% | 29.0% | USD 307 bn | 4.9% |
| Dried and powdered | 20.0% | 23.0% | USD 219 bn | 6.0% |
By milk source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 84.0% | 81.0% | USD 922 bn | 4.1% |
| Buffalo | 11.0% | 12.0% | USD 121 bn | 5.4% |
| Goat, sheep and other | 5.0% | 7.0% | USD 54.9 bn | 8.1% |
Top 25 countries for dairy products by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 65.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 91.9%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 165 bn | 15.0% | USD 266 bn | 4.9% |
| 2 | United States | USD 154 bn | 14.0% | USD 215 bn | 3.4% |
| 3 | India | USD 132 bn | 12.0% | USD 269 bn | 7.4% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 54.9 bn | 5.0% | USD 73.3 bn | 2.9% |
| 5 | Brazil | USD 43.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 71.6 bn | 5.0% |
| 6 | France | USD 43.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 57.9 bn | 2.8% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 32.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 44.3 bn | 3.0% |
| 8 | Russia | USD 32.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 46.0 bn | 3.4% |
| 9 | Japan | USD 27.4 bn | 2.5% | USD 32.4 bn | 1.7% |
| 10 | Mexico | USD 27.4 bn | 2.5% | USD 42.6 bn | 4.5% |
| 11 | Italy | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 39.9 bn | 4.2% |
| 12 | Pakistan | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 44.6 bn | 5.3% |
| 13 | Turkey | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 39.9 bn | 4.2% |
| 14 | Indonesia | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 44.6 bn | 5.3% |
| 15 | Spain | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 39.9 bn | 4.2% |
| 16 | Poland | USD 26.6 bn | 2.4% | USD 39.9 bn | 4.2% |
| 17 | Netherlands | USD 24.8 bn | 2.3% | USD 37.1 bn | 4.1% |
| 18 | Canada | USD 21.5 bn | 2.0% | USD 32.2 bn | 4.1% |
| 19 | Australia | USD 18.8 bn | 1.7% | USD 28.1 bn | 4.1% |
| 20 | Argentina | USD 16.3 bn | 1.5% | USD 24.5 bn | 4.1% |
| 21 | South Korea | USD 14.2 bn | 1.3% | USD 21.3 bn | 4.2% |
| 22 | Egypt | USD 12.3 bn | 1.1% | USD 20.6 bn | 5.3% |
| 23 | Saudi Arabia | USD 10.8 bn | 1.0% | USD 16.2 bn | 4.2% |
| 24 | Philippines | USD 9.3 bn | 0.8% | USD 15.7 bn | 5.3% |
| 25 | Vietnam | USD 8.1 bn | 0.7% | USD 13.6 bn | 5.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 88.7 bn | 8.1% | USD 128 bn | 3.7% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Nestle
- Danone
- Lactalis
- Fonterra
- Arla Foods
- FrieslandCampina
- Savencia
- Müller Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Dairy Farmers of America
- Amul (GCMMF)
- Yili Group
- Mengniu Dairy
- Saputo
- Meiji Holdings
- Land O'Lakes
- Agropur
- Valio
- Sodiaal
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Britannia Industries
- Bright Dairy
- Almarai
- Parmalat
- Mother Dairy
- Epigamia
- Chobani
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the dairy products market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by product, by channel, by fat content, by storage type, by milk source. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the dairy products market?
The global dairy products market is estimated at USD 1.1 tn in 2025 and USD 1.1 tn in 2026.
How fast will the dairy products market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 1.7 tn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 607 bn.
Which country is the largest market for dairy products?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 165 bn in 2026, 15.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 41.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.4% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which dairy products segment is largest?
In the by product split, Drinking milk is the largest segment with 34.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading dairy products companies?
Global leaders include Nestle, Danone, Lactalis, Fonterra.
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