California’s 2010 cheese production rose 6.8% above 2009 levels, the Dairy Marketing Branch of the California Department of Food & Agriculture reports in its latest “California Dairy Information” publication.
Mozzarella production accounted for the largest share, or 57.2%, of the Golden State’s Class 4b production, and rose 14.1% over 2009 levels.
Cheddar cheese production fell 7.8%, although it represented the second-largest section, or 15.3%, of the state’s 2009 cheese wheel.
Monterey cheese, which totaled 12.5% of California’s cheese production last year, decreased 1.6% from 2009.
The publication also reported that production of all milk on California farms and ranches during December 2010 totaled 3.36 billion pounds, up 2.4% from year-earlier levels. For the 12 months ending December 2010, California’s total milk production increased 2.2% over the same period the previous year.
The state’s December 2010 butter manufacturing increased 6.4% over December 2009 levels, while nonfat dried milk for human consumption increased 10.7%.
