Butter imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of butter by the United States reached $728.0 million in 2024 (85.6 thousand tonnes). It ranks 4th of 221 countries for imports of this product. Value rose 45% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 23% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $728.0M | 85.6K t |
| 2023 | $502.3M | 53.6K t |
| 2022 | $442.0M | 44.0K t |
| 2021 | $353.8M | 42.4K t |
| 2020 | $282.7M | 36.3K t |
| 2019 | $289.1M | 43.5K t |
| 2018 | $239.4M | 28.0K t |
| 2017 | $167.6M | 26.6K t |
Where the United States imports butter from
Ireland alone supplied 71% of it. Among the main suppliers, Ireland grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | $519.3M | 71% |
| New Zealand | $126.6M | 17% |
| France | $35.5M | 4.9% |
| Germany | $8.9M | 1.2% |
| Australia | $7.2M | 1% |
| India | $4.0M | 0.5% |
| Chile | $3.8M | 0.5% |
| Argentina | $2.9M | 0.4% |
| Mexico | $2.7M | 0.4% |
| Canada | $2.5M | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.50 per kg, 26% above the world average of $6.72. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Butter exports from the United States
Exports of butter by the United States reached $207.3 million in 2024 (30.6 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 9th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 141 countries. One buyer market dominates: Canada accounted for 68% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, South Korea grew fastest (+44% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $140.7M | 68% |
| Mexico | $14.7M | 7.1% |
| South Korea | $12.6M | 6.1% |
| Panama | $5.7M | 2.8% |
| Taiwan | $4.6M | 2.2% |
| El Salvador | $2.6M | 1.3% |
| Nicaragua | $2.5M | 1.2% |
| Bahamas | $2.2M | 1.1% |
| Israel | $2.0M | 1% |
| Guatemala | $1.9M | 0.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0405.10: Dairy produce: derived from milk, butter.
Common questions
What is the value of butter imported by the United States?
The United States imported butter worth $728.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 85.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 221 countries worldwide, with 8% of world imports. The value was up 45% on 2023.
Which countries supply butter to the United States?
Ireland was the largest supplier with 71% of the value ($519.3 million), followed by New Zealand (17%) and France (5%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 52 supplier countries in total. Australia grew fastest among the top ten, up 171% on the year.
What is the average import price of butter per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.50 per kg in 2024, 26% above the world average of $6.72 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of butter to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $167.6 million in 2017 to $728.0 million in 2024, an increase of 334%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export butter?
Yes. The United States exported $207.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Canada, Mexico and South Korea. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $520.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for butter?
The HS code for butter is subheading 0405.10. It sits in HS chapter 04 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0405 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, so you can see importers and exporters by name with dates, quantities and declared values. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
More trade data for the United States
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.