Why is cow’s milk the most widely used milk for dairy products worldwide?

Cow’s milk is the most widely used milk for dairy products worldwide primarily due to the significant advancements in selective breeding and animal nutrition that have dramatically increased milk yields. While early domesticated cattle produced only enough milk to rear their calves, modern dairy breeds—such as the Holstein-Friesian—have been specifically developed to produce vast quantities of milk, with some cows yielding up to 10,000 liters annually.123

Additionally, cows are the most common domesticated ungulate and are found globally, making them a highly accessible resource for dairying. Because different breeds have been refined to maximize either total volume or specific components like fat and protein, cow's milk provides a versatile and efficient base for manufacturing stable, commercial products such as cheese, butter, and ice cream.312