Are Americans moving on from dairy?
Milk production in the US has doubled since 1975, but people drink nearly half as much milk as back then. Today, people eat more than seven times the amount of yogurt than they did in 1975.
Milk production in the US has increased 100.7% since 1975, reaching an all-time high of 231.7 billion pounds — 27.0 billion gallons — in 2025. How much is that? It would take almost 10 hours for all of it to flow over Niagara Falls. We drink some, and use some to produce cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, dry milk products, whey products, and condensed milk.
How America consumes dairy is changing, though: people drink 48.6% less milk than in 1975. So, where’s the other half of the milk going? (Spoiler alert: yogurt!)
Milk production has increased an average of 270.5 million gallons per year since 1975.
Milk production, in gallons, 1975–2025
What eating habits are affecting the dairy industry?
In 1975, the average American drank roughly one and a quarter cups of milk per day. In 2024, that shrank to about two-thirds of a cup.
Per-person milk consumption has decreased 48.6% since 1975.
Per capita milk consumption, in cups per day, 1975–2024
People are also eating less sherbet and using less evaporated and condensed milk; their consumption has decreased the most of all dairy products. Per-person sherbet consumption dropped 63.5%, and condensed milk consumption decreased 62.2%.
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By 2024, per-person sherbet consumption decreased 63.5% compared to 1975.
Dairy products with largest rates of per capita consumption decrease
Where is daily consumption going up? The per-person intakes of yogurt, cheeses (other than cottage cheese), and dry whole milk have increased the fastest of all dairy products. Per-person consumption of dry whole milk increased 149.0% since 1975, and cheese consumption was up 178.9%. And yogurt? Up 636.2%.
By 2024, per-person yogurt consumption increased 636.2% compared to 1975.
Dairy products with largest rates of per capita consumption increase
Despite Americans’ love of yogurt and cheese and reduced milk drinking, regular old milk remains the most-consumed product, at 127.0 pounds per person (or about 14.8 gallons) in 2024. Cheese slots in second with 41.9 pounds per person, and frozen dairy products (which includes ice cream, low-fat and nonfat ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, water and juice ices, and other frozen foods) are third at around 20.6 pounds.
Although milk consumption has decreased the most since 1975, it remains the most-consumed dairy product per person.
Change in per capita dairy consumption by dairy product, in pounds, compared to 2024.
Why are Americans drinking less milk?
In 2024, the USDA recommended consuming two to three cups of dairy per day, depending on factors like “age, gender, and level of physical ability.” Even with the increased intake of foods like cheese and yogurt, around 90% of the US population fell short of the USDA recommendations.
A 2021 USDA study investigated milk consumption trends from 2003 to 2018 using data about the share of people who consume milk either as a standalone beverage, with cereal, or added to other beverages like coffee or tea.
The study uncovered two statistically significant trends: first, the percentage of standalone milk drinkers fell from 31% in 2009-10 to 22% in 2017-18, and second, the percentage of people having milk with cereal dropped from 23% in 2003-04 to 19% in 2017-18. The only group with no significant chance was those who drink milk in other beverages.
The study also looked at what might be driving the decreases. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soft drinks weren’t found to compete with milk. Plant-based milks do — and their sales have increased — but only explain a small part of the decline in cow's milk consumption. It concluded that more research on product prices, household income, and consumer taste and preferences were needed for more definitive conclusions.
Current 2025–2030 USDA guidelines recommend approximately three servings of dairy per day, adjusting for age, sex, height, weight, and level of physical activity.
Where does this data come from?
Where does this data come from?
Milk production data comes from a milk production survey conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) on a quarterly basis. Surveyed dairies are randomly selected from a list provided by each state, and data is collected via mail, phone, and web-based reporting. The agency also make estimates from state and federal administrative data when feasible.
Dairy consumption data comes from the annual report on per capita consumption of dairy products produced by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Consumption is measured by a statistic called “disappearance,” which is the amount of food available for consumption – in this case, dairy – that has been used domestically, exported, or stored throughout the year. Disappearance is a proxy for consumption, though it doesn’t account for food waste or spoilage.
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Keep exploring
- How have Americans' drinking habits changed? - Americans replaced soft drinks with bottled water.
- What foods are Americans putting in their shopping carts? - The average American doesn't buy enough fruits, vegetables, or dairy to meet dietary guidelines.
- Are Americans meeting federal dietary guidelines? - A majority of people fall short of meeting recommendations outlined by the government — at least 35% of adults 18 and older were considered obese in 2021, according to the definitions of 21 states and territories.
- Are groceries more expensive than last year? - Grocery store food prices increased 2.1% from January 2025 to January 2026 – the product with the biggest jump, ground beef, went up more than 21%.
