USDA Reports Gains in December Dairy Product Production
USDA Reports Gains in December Dairy Product Production
The latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates a year-over-year increase in the production of most dairy products for December, excluding dry milk products. This growth is attributed to processors concentrating on categories experiencing the highest demand.
Cheese and Butter See Increases
Total cheese production nearly reached 1.2 billion pounds, marking a slight decrease of about a percent from the previous year but showing a four percent rise from the previous month. Italian cheese production increased by three percent compared to December of the previous year and by nearly six percent from November. In contrast, American cheese production saw a drop of nearly four percent on the year but rose almost four percent month-on-month.
Butter production amounted to 198 million pounds, representing an increase of over two percent from the same month last year and a substantial rise of over 13 percent from November.
Challenges with Dry Milk
After experiencing challenges, nonfat dry milk production recorded a decline of approximately 12 percent compared to 2023, and skim milk powder production decreased by nearly 21 percent.
These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of the dairy market and the strategic moves by processors to focus on high-demand products while navigating the complexities of the global dairy industry.
Edited by Damián Morais and contributed by Nicole Heslip, this report underscores the resilience and adaptability in the dairy sector amidst fluctuating market demands.
