Here's the simple truth: đ There Are Fewer Dairy Farms in Australia In the past two decades, Australia has seen a steady decline in dairy farms. Rising costs, industry consolidation, and tough conditions mean fewer farmers are producing milk â which means less supply.
Australian butter is more expensive because it's grass fed and has a higher fat content. Both of those make a more buttery butter but it is more expensive. That's also why Aldi butter is cheaper - 81% fat (80% min) compared to a 82% in lurpak and 82.9% in Western Star.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, dairy output from major exporters like New Zealand and parts of Europeâwhich together comprises around 70% of the butter exported around the worldâbegan 2025 with historically low stockpiles that caused prices to spike.
As milk prices have surged over the last few years, so has butter, driven by rising costs and the cost of living crisis. Now producers are switching from 250g to 200g packs, but not everyone is making the swap, so make sure you check!
Butter prices have hit all-time highs in 2025, fuelled by a convergence of global supply chain disruptions, escalating demand, and growing geopolitical and environmental pressures. Providers are now charging 25% to 30% more, squeezing both consumers and food businesses that rely on this essential dairy product.
Butter isn't that expensive â it's about $3 per pound at the wholesale level. Cream costs roughly $3.50 for 16 ounces, or less if you buy a larger carton. That means the price of making your own butter isn't much more than buying it in the store, and often you can get organic cream cheaper than organic butter.
Butter will usually bear an expiration date on its packaging, but remember: use-by, best-by, and sell-by dates are indicators of quality, not food safety. So while it's best practice to consume your butter before you reach those dates, it's generally safe to go beyond them, as long as you refrigerate or freeze it.
Scientists around the world simultaneously showed that saturated fatâthe kind in butter and lardâincreases both âbadâ LDL cholesterol and âgoodâ HDL cholesterol, making it similar to carbohydrates overall but not as beneficial to health as polyunsaturated fats from nuts and vegetables.
Lurpak and Anchor used to be sold in 250g blocks but earlier this year they were cut to 200g.
Butter is produced by churning fresh, sweet cream, and during this process some water remains in the butterfat. Why is butter different now? In summary, the perceived lack of flavor in modern butter can be attributed to a combination of changes in cow diets, processing methods, and consumer expectations.
New Zealand butter is still relatively affordable compared to international markets, according to recent price checks. In the UK, for example, a 500g block of butter costs the equivalent of NZD$8.83. In Australia, the price is only slightly lower, with the cheapest local butter priced at around NZD$7.64.
Each week, you'll buy five different vegetables, five fruits, four grains, three proteins, two dairy items, two spreads or condiments, and one fun treat.
It's less processed than plant spreads but does contain saturated fats. Based on measurements of over 20,000 individuals, our scientists predict that for 64% of the people, it's OK to eat butter regularly â about every other day â but not every day, and large quantities may have a negative impact.
A salary of $70,000 a year puts you just below the average wage in Australia, but it is still well above the average income in Australia.
Many Gen Zers may feel compelled to do their part in combating climate change by not drinking or purchasing dairy milk. Gen Z may also avoid milk due to its unhealthy aspects and instead turn to the myriad of milk alternatives.
Best Oceanian Butters
A closer read reveals there are two versions of âBeautifully Butterfully Salted Butterâ made for Aldi by rivals Fonterra and Murray Goulburn. If either of them wins it will be interesting to see how Aldi explains to their customers which half of its award-winning butter is which.
Aldi vs. Lurpak â Taste Test Results Are In! In a blind test with 67 people, Aldi's Nordpak came out on top: ⢠84% loved its smooth, creamy texture ⢠Less than half the price of Lurpak (ÂŁ2.18 vs. ÂŁ4.75) ⢠Easy to spread with well-balanced flavour Lurpak scored well, but is it worth paying double?
Imported from Ireland, this butter is made with milk from grass-fed cows, was voted the Best New Butter by Consumers, and won the 2020 Product of the Year in the Spreads category.
There's a lot of conflicting information about saturated fats. Should I eat them or not? The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats to less than 6% of total calories. Saturated fats are found in butter, cheese, red meat, other animal-based foods and tropical oils.
The animal fats in butter means it has higher levels of saturated and trans fats. These fats can lead to higher cholesterol, greater chance of heart disease, and lower levels of HDL cholesterolâthe "good" cholesterol that unclogs arteries.
However, butter's fat is saturated, which can raise LDL (âbadâ) cholesterol levels. Olive oil fat is plant-based and consists mostly of monounsaturated fats, which are known to lower LDL and increase your HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol â the âgoodâ kind.
How long can you freeze butter? Properly stored butter can be frozen for up to four months if frozen prior to the USE BY date on the package. Butter may begin to lose its fresh butter taste and pick up flavors and odors from the freezer if stored for longer than four months.
There are good reasons why toddlers demand butter. It tastes good, and makes other food taste better, as well, which is especially important for inexperienced eaters. Toddlers are also are compensating for the sudden drop in their dietary fat.
TRUST YOUR SENSES: LOOK, SMELL, AND TASTE BEFORE YOU WASTE
Look at it: if you notice any mold or discoloration, it's best to throw it out. Next, smell it. Fresh butter has a mild, creamy scent. If it smells sour or rancid, it's time to discard it.