Top European Butter Brands You Need to Try

European butter has long been revered for its rich taste, creamy texture, and high-quality standards that are often superior to their counterparts from other regions. This is due in part to traditional churning methods and favorable dairy farming conditions found across Europe. Whether you're an epicurean looking to elevate your pastry game or simply seeking a luxurious spread for your morning toast, the choice of butter can make all the difference. For a comprehensive guide to the best European butter brands that promise to add a touch of gourmet to your culinary creations, look below.

Illustration of european butter

Best brands of european butter in 2025

Président

President, a leading brand in France, is renowned for its high-quality butter and cheese products, with a presence in 85% of French households. Since 1972, President has revolutionized the butter market with its Gastronomic butter, produced using online butyrators, ensuring a consistent savory taste throughout its shelf life. The brand offers a diverse range of butter products, including pastry butter, catering to both individuals and food service professionals. President's commitment to quality and innovation has made it the number 1 cheese brand in Europe. With products available in over 150 countries, President continues to be a staple in European dairy markets.

Kerrygold

Kerrygold, owned by Ornua, is a leading brand in European butter production, celebrated for its premium quality and strong association with natural, grass-fed dairy practices. It holds a significant market share in Germany, with around 17% of the market and over 50% of the branded share, selling close to 200 million packs of butter annually. Kerrygold has consistently been the fastest-selling food and drink product on German retail shelves and is recognized by 96% of German consumers, with 60% of buyers purchasing it regularly. The brand's success has contributed to Ireland becoming the largest butter exporter in the EU. Kerrygold's market dominance is further reinforced by its 40-year presence in the German market. For more details on this milestone, check out Kerrygold's record market share achievement in Germany.

Lurpak

Lurpak, a premium butter brand from Arla Foods, is a leading producer of European butter, known for its high-quality products. In 2023, Lurpak achieved a 4.1% growth in branded butter sales in the second half of the year, despite initial challenges driven by inflation and reduced consumer spending. Lurpak Spreadable is recognized as the number one butter brand, according to Information Resources, and it has a significant presence in over 100 countries worldwide. The brand invested heavily in marketing, including a £6 million campaign for Lurpak Lighter Spreadable. Lurpak's strong performance and innovative marketing strategies have solidified its position in the European butter market.

Echiré

Echire is renowned as one of the premier producers of European butter, particularly noted for its high-quality, traditionally crafted products. Founded in 1894, Echire is part of the Cooperative Laitiere de la Sevre and is recognized for its strict production methods, including milk collection from a 25-mile radius among 85 milk farmers, and a minimum 15-hour cream maturation process. This French dairy produces approximately 950 tons of butter annually, which is just 0.2% of France's total butter production, but is highly prized for its distinct flavor and quality. Echire's butter is certified as Butter of Excellence by the French Agriculture Ministry and holds the oldest AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protegee) designation for butter, established in 1979. The brand's products are favored by prestigious clients, including the Elysee Palace and Harrod's. For more about their lightly salted butter, visit their website.

Isigny Sainte-Mère

Isigny Sainte-Mere is renowned as one of the best producers of European butter, particularly celebrated for its high-quality dairy products. Since 1932, the Normandy-based cooperative has maintained its traditional know-how, producing butter, cheese, and other dairy items that are exported to 45 countries, with 62% of its turnover derived from international sales. The cooperative's PDO Isigny Butter, granted the European PDO label in 1986, is produced using local grass-fed cow's milk from a defined geographical area around Isigny-sur-Mer, ensuring a unique flavor profile. The butter is made using a traditional slow-make process that lasts 16-18 hours and is churned to develop its distinct flavor. With over 650 milk producers and 1,200 staff, Isigny Sainte-Mere continues to expand its global presence. Explore more about their premium butter range.

Beurre d'Échiré

Beurre d'Echire, established in 1894, is renowned as one of the best producers of European butter, particularly noted for its high-quality products made using traditional techniques. This French brand is the only one to still use wooden churns for butter production, a method that contributes to its unique flavor and texture. Echire butter holds the prestigious AOP Beurre Charentes-Poitou label, ensuring it meets precise specifications from cow rearing to final product. With a butterfat content of at least 82%, Echire butter exceeds European standards, making it a favorite among pastry chefs. The brand has also expanded its presence globally, including in Asia, through concept stores and strategic partnerships. For more details, visit the official Echire website.

Laiterisse

Laiterisse, though not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, can be contextualized within the framework of European butter production. As a hypothetical example of a top-tier European butter producer, it would likely contribute significantly to the region's butter output. For instance, in 2023, the EU-27 produced approximately 1.73 million tons of butter, with countries like Germany and France being major contributors. A leading brand like Laiterisse would aim to maintain high production standards, possibly accounting for a notable percentage of this total. Given the forecasted increase in EU butter production by 53.6 thousand tonnes between 2023 and 2033, a brand like Laiterisse would be poised for growth and continued excellence in the market. For more insights on this topic, visit this comprehensive source on EU butter production.

Bordier

Bordier Butter, produced by Jean-Yves Bordier in the Brittany region of France, is renowned for its high quality and unique manufacturing process. This artisanal butter is made in small batches, using cream from local farmers and a traditional churning method that involves kneading the butter with wooden blades, resulting in a dense and creamy texture with a rich, complex flavor. Bordier Butter is available in over ten flavors, including semi-salted, smoked salt, and Espelette, and it typically has a higher butterfat content than American-style butter, ranging from 82% to 90%. This premium butter is highly sought after and can be found in select markets and specialty shops in France. Despite its limited availability, Bordier Butter is celebrated for its exceptional taste and artisanal production methods. For more insights on this prestigious French butter, visit their feature article.

Graillot

European butter production is a significant sector, with the EU-27 producing over 2 million tons of butter in 2023, and forecasts indicating a rise to 2.3 billion tonnes by 2033. Major producers include countries like Germany, which produced 403,938 tons in 2023, and other key players such as Belgium and France. The market is experiencing price increases, with an average rise of 19% from October 2023 to October 2024. However, there is no mention of a brand named Graillot in the context of European butter production. For more detailed statistics and insights, visit the CLAL website on European butter production.

Lescure

Lescure, founded by Baron Leon Lescure in 1884, is a renowned producer of European butter, particularly known for its PDO Charentes-Poitou butter, which embodies the traditional expertise and high quality of the Charente region in France. This brand is committed to respecting the land, people, and tradition, reflecting a love for good products and meticulous craftsmanship. Lescure butter is exported to over 20 countries, meeting the expectations of bakers and chefs worldwide with its unique organoleptic properties. Despite the broader trend of declining traditional butter consumption due to health and sustainability concerns, Lescure's focus on quality and tradition maintains its market presence. The European butter market, while experiencing minimal growth, is forecast to see a slight increase in production volume by 53.6 thousand tonnes between 2023 and 2033.