September U.S. Dairy Exports Down Eighth Month In A Row
U.S. dairy product exports in September totaled 185,625 metric tons, down 11.1% from one year earlier (down 12% on a milk solids equivalent basis), according to the latest export data reported by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). In it U.S. Dairy Exporter Blog, USDEC notes that it was the eighth consecutive month of decline, dating back to February this year. USDEC also reports September export value fell 25% to $603 million, the lowest monthly total since January 2022.
“Trends that have been keeping overall U.S. exports in check for most of the year remain largely unchanged,” USDEC says in is blog. “U.S. suppliers continue to face strong demand headwinds from tepid global economic growth, elevated inflation and, in the case of low-protein whey, China’s struggling pork sector (though that has improved of late). While global milk supply growth has slowed, competition from New Zealand and the EU remains tougher than it has been in recent years.”
Decline In Milk Powder Exports
U.S. nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) exports in September totaled 53,256 metric tons, down 20.1% from a year earlier, and this category’s worst month of 2023, USDEC reports. Year-over-year U.S. exports to Mexico were down 16%, while export volume to Southeast Asia fell 38%.
Sharp Reduction In Low-Protein Whey Exports
U.S. exports of low-protein whey (0404.10) totaled 40,282 metric tons in September, down 24.7% from a year earlier. USDEC reports China continued to drag down these sales, which fell 39% compared to last year, with across-the-board double-digit declines in dry, whey protein concentrate (less than 80%) and modified whey and permeate. U.S. suppliers also saw smaller declines to Mexico (-24%) and Canada (-28%), USDEC says.
Increase In U.S. Cheese Exports Amidst Global Demand
Meanwhile, U.S. cheese exports rose in September as global cheese demand has proven resilient, USDEC reports. September cheese exports totaled 36,883 metric tons, up 4.3% year-over-year, with shipments to Mexico up 26% and cheese sales to China up more than four-fold. USDEC reports U.S. suppliers also posted strong gains to Southeast Asia (+54%), Central America (+10%) and the Caribbean (+9%).
High-Protein Whey Products Fueling Export Growth
Another bright spot in September was whey protein concentrate 80% (WPC80+), USDEC reports, where exports totaled 7,356 metric tons, up 40.4% from a year earlier. “On top of the positive cheese story, the increasingly global nutritional appeal of high-protein foods and beverages, coupled with favorable pricing of high-protein whey, drove WPC80+ demand to an all-time high,” USDEC says in its blog, adding that U.S. WPC80+ exports to Japan more than doubled, while volume to China more than tripled.
Explore More U.S. Dairy Exports
For more of the latest U.S. dairy export data, visit www.usdec.org/research-and-data/market-information/usdec-data-hub.
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Source: Cheese Market News