Dairy Shipments Down in 2024, Slight Gains in Value

The U.S. Dairy Export Council recently disclosed that total export volumes for 2024 decreased by nearly a half percent. However, the value of these exports saw a two percent increase compared to the previous year.

Cheese exports reached a historic high, surging by 17 percent year-over-year to over half a million metric tons. This growth was attributed to favorable pricing and heightened demand across various regions. Notably, Mexico's cheese shipments skyrocketed by almost 30 percent in December.

Conversely, exports of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder experienced an eight percent decline, hitting a five-year low in December. This decrease was primarily due to reduced production and lower sales in Southeast Asia, with a 14 percent reduction in production being a significant factor.

On a positive note, total butterfat export sales for the year increased by 28 percent, fueled by a 45 percent surge in December, driven by strong demand from Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Overall, U.S. dairy shipments in December fell by nearly two percent, yet their value increased by 11 percent, marking the second-highest price for the month.