Feb 21, 2026
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Butter – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK butter market is forecast to grow slowly in volume but more robustly in value over the next decade. In 2024, consumption and market value reached record highs of 233K tons and $1.2B, driven by strong demand. Domestic production slightly declined to 213K tons, while imports rebounded to 50K tons, primarily from Ireland. Exports fell significantly to 29K tons. The market is projected to reach 236K tons and $1.4B by 2035, with value growth outpacing volume growth due to rising prices.
Key Findings
UK butter market value is forecast to grow to $1.4B by 2035, outpacing volume growthDomestic consumption hit a record 233K tons in 2024, continuing an upward trendLocal production dipped slightly to 213K tons, failing to meet full domestic demandIreland is the dominant import source, supplying 63% of UK butter importsExport volumes fell sharply by 25% in 2024, with Libya as a key growth destinationMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for butter in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 236K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Butter
In 2024, consumption of butter increased by 5.3% to 233K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Butter consumption peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
The value of the butter market in the UK soared to $1.2B in 2024, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +22.3% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Butter
In 2024, the amount of butter produced in the UK fell to 213K tons, which is down by -1.8% on the previous year. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production increased by +46.6% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 28%. Butter production peaked at 216K tons in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
In value terms, butter production rose remarkably to $1.1B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -2.6% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 52%. Butter production peaked at $1.2B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Butter
After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of butter increased by 13% to 50K tons in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 77K tons. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, butter imports surged to $355M in 2024. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $429M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Ireland (32K tons) constituted the largest butter supplier to the UK, accounting for a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, butter imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Denmark (6K tons), fivefold. France (5.6K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume from Ireland totaled -2.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Denmark (-2.4% per year) and France (-1.1% per year).
In value terms, Ireland ($223M) constituted the largest supplier of butter to the UK, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($43M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Denmark, with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from Ireland was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+1.3% per year) and Denmark (-3.3% per year).
Import Prices By Country
The average butter import price stood at $7,068 per ton in 2024, rising by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a measured expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, butter import price increased by +77.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 37%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Belgium ($7,842 per ton) and France ($7,790 per ton), while the price for New Zealand ($5,752 per ton) and the Netherlands ($6,413 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Butter
In 2024, approx. 29K tons of butter were exported from the UK; which is down by -25% against 2023. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 60%. The exports peaked at 47K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, butter exports dropped to $169M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 42%. The exports peaked at $215M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Libya (1.1K tons), the Netherlands (926 tons) and Morocco (782 tons) were the main destinations of butter exports from the UK, with a combined 9.5% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Libya (with a CAGR of +92.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for butter exported from the UK were Libya ($7M), Morocco ($5.8M) and the Netherlands ($5.8M), together accounting for 11% of total exports.
In terms of the main countries of destination, Libya, with a CAGR of +88.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The average butter export price stood at $5,768 per ton in 2024, picking up by 25% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, butter export price decreased by -6.2% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 63%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $6,148 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Morocco ($7,459 per ton) and France ($7,249 per ton), while the average price for exports to South Africa ($5,081 per ton) and Germany ($5,399 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
This report provides a comprehensive view of the butter industry in the United Kingdom, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the butter landscape in the United Kingdom.
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Key findings
Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.
Report scope
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for the United Kingdom. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
Competitive context and market entry conditions
Product coverageFCL 886 – Butter of Cow MilkCountry coverageCountry profile and benchmarks
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
Methodology
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
National production and consumption statistics
Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
Price series and unit value benchmarks
Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
Forecasts to 2035
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links butter demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in the United Kingdom.
Historical baseline: 2012-2025
Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Price analysis and trade dynamics
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
Export and import unit value trends
Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions
Profiles of market participants
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
Business focus and production capabilities
Geographic reach and distribution networks
Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
Compliance, certification, and sustainability context
How to use this report
Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
Track price dynamics and protect margins
Benchmark performance against leading competitors
Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of butter dynamics in the United Kingdom.
FAQ
What is included in the butter market in the United Kingdom?
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
How are the forecasts to 2035 built?
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Does the report cover prices and margins?
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
Which benchmarks are included?
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom.
Can this report support market entry decisions?
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.