1 week ago
Milk Leads Rice and Pork in Global Food Commodity Values
Milk was the most valuable food commodity in the world in 2024.
It was worth about $379 billion.
Rice was close behind at $362 billion.
Pork ranked third at $355 billion.
Milk production reached 985 million metric tonnes.
Cows produced most of the milk, while buffalo milk was also important in the wider ranking.
Meat, eggs and milk occupied many of the highest spots.
Tomatoes were the only fruit or vegetable among the top 10 foods.
The rankings show how much people around the world depend on staple foods and animal products.
Milk ranked as the world’s most valuable food commodity in 2024, with a gross production value of $379 billion.
Rice ranked second at $362 billion, followed by pork at $355 billion.
Global milk production reached 985 million metric tonnes, with cattle providing 81% of the total.
Animal products dominated the rankings, with pork, beef, chicken, lamb and goat worth about $1.02 trillion combined.
Tomatoes were the only fruit or vegetable in the top 10, valued at $136 billion.
- Who
- Global farmers and food producers, as represented in production data cited by Visual Capitalist and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
- What
- Milk ranked as the world’s most valuable food commodity, ahead of rice and pork, based on 2024 gross production value.
- Where
- Globally.
- When
- 2024.
- Why
- The rankings reflect the large worldwide demand and production scale for staple foods, dairy, meat and widely consumed produce.
Key facts
- Top commodity
- Milk, with a 2024 gross production value of $379 billion
- Global milk output
- 985 million metric tonnes in 2024
- Cattle’s share
- Cattle contributed 81% of global milk production
- Second place
- Rice, valued at $362 billion
- Third place
- Pork, valued at $355 billion
- Meat production
- Global meat production reached 374 million metric tonnes in 2024
- Only produce in top 10
- Tomatoes, valued at $136 billion
Quotes
Shivraj Chouhan
Indian political figure speaking at India-Japan Business Conclave
“"India Must Become The World’s Food Basket"”
businesstoday.in










