US Dairy Exports Fall by 5% in June 2026

In June 2026, US dairy exports experienced a 5% decrease in milk solid equivalent terms compared to the same month in the previous year, according to the US Dairy Export Council. This marked the first monthly decline in US exports since September 2025. The drop was anticipated due to an unusually high baseline in June 2025, when tariff normalization with China led to a surge in shipments.

While overall export volumes declined, certain product categories excelled. US cheese exports rose by 24%, amounting to 64,604 metric tonnes (MT), surpassing the previous record set two months earlier. Mexico was the largest growth market, with exports increasing by 48% to 24,195 MT. Other significant increases were recorded in Central America (39%), South Korea (18%), and Japan (25%).

US butterfat exports, including butter and anhydrous milkfat, increased by 48% to 12,982 MT in June. Despite being the lowest since October 2025, exports to Mexico and the Middle East/North Africa region showed considerable growth, with increases of 426% and 108%, respectively.

The Middle East remains a key market for US butterfat, particularly through Saudi Arabia, where exports grew by 113% in June. Smaller but notable increases were also seen in the United Arab Emirates. However, the ongoing conflict in the region has affected cheese demand, with shipments to Saudi Arabia up by 44%, while exports to other parts of the Middle East decreased by 80%.