U.S. Butter Exports Increased Significantly in 2026

According to the U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S. butter exports saw a significant increase in 2026. In the first months of the year, exports were more than twice the amount of the same period in 2025. The council attributed this dynamic to the volume of domestic supply, global market pricing, and expanding demand abroad.

Over the past 12 months, U.S. butter production has grown by 7%. This result is linked to increased national milk production and rising milk fat volumes. The American product maintained a competitive price in global markets for 18 consecutive months.

The most notable changes were observed in the Middle East and North Africa. In the first half of 2026, U.S. milk fat exports to this region increased by over 400%. The volume of shipments in six months already surpassed the total figure for 2025.

Trade routes in the region changed after the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. American products more frequently reached Saudi Arabia instead of directly entering Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. However, according to the provided data, trade disruptions did not halt the increase in demand.

Growth in purchases was also noted in East Asia. South Korea nearly tripled its demand for American butter in the first six months of 2026. Shipments to Japan grew by 383% since the beginning of the year.

Canada remained the largest buyer of American butter, increasing its purchases by 5% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2025. The U.S. Dairy Export Council stated that expanding the number of promising markets reduces dependency on the export dynamics of a single region. The council also noted that with continued production growth, export markets will play a more significant role for the domestic butter market.