The value of US dairy exports rose 65% in July to USD$308.8 million (NZD$407 million), bringing year-to-date dairy export value to $2.034 billion, a rise of 66% over the same period in 2009, according to a report by the US Dairy Export Council, citing the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service date.
Aggregate volume of dry ingredients (milk powders, whey proteins and lactose), cheese and butterfat was 67,436 tonnes, up 35% from a year ago.
Whey protein exports dropped off in July compared with recent months, slipping to 30,975 tonnes, the lowest figure since last September. Dry sweet whey volume was 19,982 tonnes, down from second-quarter volumes, but up 47% from a year ago.
US whey protein sales to Southeast Asia increased 49% in July to 8,652 tonnes. China volume slipped 9% to 5,274 tonnes. Japan boosted purchases by 35% to 3,203 tonnes.
Cheese exports continue to trend higher. July shipments were 15,656 tonnes, up 66% vs. July 2009, driven by strong business in Japan (+199%), South Korea (+67%) and Mexico (+18%) —the top three US markets last year. In addition, sales to the Middle East/North Africa were up 326% for the month.
US suppliers exported 24,098 tonnes of lactose in July, up 31% from last year. Exports to Japan were up 46% and shipments to China rose 39%.
July butterfat exports were up 12-fold, to 7,269 tonnes. More than half the sales went to the Middle East/North Africa region, primarily Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Shipments to Mexico also increased significantly. – Source: US Dairy Export Council
