Booming Butter

The Friday File: For the first time since 1943, US butter production will top two billion pounds. From 1910-1940 per-capita butter consumption was 18 lbs/year. It then steadily fell to a low of 4.5 lbs/year between 1975-2005. Butter sales collapsed because between 1940-1975 margarine sales rose from 2 lbs/year to 11.5 lbs/year. Since then, butter sales have steadily risen and are now 6.5 lbs/year. Margarine is at just 2.5 lbs/year.