May 9, 2018

US dairy exports hit record high in March

US dairy exports set a new record high in March, at 204,453 tonnes of milk powder, cheese, butterfat, whey and lactose, up 26% from March last year and surpassing the previous record high set in March 2014, according to the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC). 

Exports of whey protein concentrate and lactose each hit all-time highs.

March dairy exports were valued at $510 million, 8% more than in March 2017 and the highest total value since April 2015.

The USDEC said ingredient sales drove much of the gains. Nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) exports to Southeast Asia were nearly double the prior-year level, and sales to Mexico were the second-most ever.

Shipments of lactose to China increased 57% in March and were at a record high, USDEC said.

Overall NDM/SMP exports totalled 67,154 tonnes, up 38% from last year. Sales to Mexico, particularly, increased substantially by 43%.

USDEC said that on a total milk solids basis, exports were equivalent to 17.3% of total US milk production.