U.S. Dairy Exports Ship at a Brisk Pace in July

In the first seven months of 2013, dairy exports were higher among all major product categories and to all major markets.

Source: U.S. Dairy Export Council

U.S. dairy exporters shipped near-record volumes, at near-record values, in July.

Overseas sales were valued at $613 million in July, up 55% from a year ago. That brought year-to-date export values to $3.72 billion, 20% ahead of last year’s pace. On a volume basis, exporters shipped 178,101 tons of milk powder, cheese, butterfat, whey and lactose during July, up 32% from the prior year.

In the first seven months of 2013, exports were higher among all major product categories and to all major markets. Nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) exports were up 16% in the January-July period, led hefty gains (+40%) in sales to Southeast Asia. Sales to the Philippines (+24%), Indonesia (+53%) and Malaysia (+115%) have increased significantly. In addition, U.S. suppliers more than doubled their sales to China and more than tripled their sales to Algeria.

Cheese exports in July were 27,297 tons, +22% from last year, led by a 56% gain in sales to Mexico.

Butterfat exports were 8,743 tons in July, +166% vs. a year ago and the most in nearly five years.
In July, the United States exported 67% of the NDM/SMP produced, 6.6% of the cheese and 14.4% of the butterfat.

On a total-solids basis, exports were equivalent to 17.6% of U.S. milk production in July, a new record high.

Meanwhile, imports as a percent of milk-solids production in July were 2.8%.