News

November dairy exports dip

The U.S. Dairy Export Council says dairy exports are still on pace for a record year in 2020 even with a slight slowdown reported in November.

Dairy exports during November saw their first decline in 2020, down a fraction of a percent in volume and a five percent decline in value.  Shipments are up 14 percent for the first 11 months of the year and up 10 percent in value.

A nearly 30 percent gain in whey product exports was not enough to offset losses seen in shipments of nonfat dry milk, down eight percent, cheese, down 16 percent, and lactose, down 14 percent.

USDEC says record-high cheese prices earlier in the year continue to drag values but expect demand to pick back up as prices become more competitive.

Whey exports to China more than doubled in November and were up more than 110 percent on the year as hog producers there rebuild herds and whey maintained a retaliatory tariff exemption during 2020.