Global consumption of fluid milk 2024, by country

In 2024, India consumed the most cow milk worldwide, drinking 89 million metric tons. The next largest consumption of milk was in the European Union, at 23.6 million metric tons. 

The dairy industry in India

India’s dairy industry is wide-ranging, with products such as ghee butter, lassi, and paneer. Curd and yogurt are the most valuable segments in the industry. Milk production in India increased over the past decade, reaching over 239 million metric tons in 2024. Most of India’s milk was produced in Uttar Pradesh.

The international market for milk production

Cow milk production has increased slightly over the past half-decade, hovering over 552 million metric tons. The European Union produced the most cow milk, with the United States in second at just under 105 million metric tons generated. California and Wisconsin are the states with the most milk cows.