Vermont Dairy Exports to China Increase by 80% Amidst U.S. Decline

Vermont's agricultural exports to China experienced a significant growth of nearly 80% in the first eight months of 2025, marking a stark contrast to the general decline in U.S. agricultural exports to the Asian market. This increase, as reported by the USDA and analyzed by Farm Flavor, resulted in approximately $2.7 million more in revenue year-over-year, largely attributed to dairy products, particularly whey.

Whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking used in products such as protein powders, infant formula, and animal feed, was the main contributor to the export surge. Brendan Wilson, CEO of Food Export Northeast, mentioned that Vermont is set to break five-year records for whey exports to China. This comes at a time when overall U.S. agricultural exports to China dropped by about 54% due to ongoing trade disputes.

The price of dry whey rose from $0.322 to $0.558 per pound during the period, significantly affecting Vermont's export revenue. However, local dairy industry leaders, such as Scott Waterman from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, emphasized that the revenue increase was more due to fluctuating commodity prices than a substantial rise in shipment volume.

Despite the challenges faced by other states like California, which experienced a 56% drop in exports to China, Vermont's performance highlights the potential for niche products to succeed in international markets. This success underscores the importance of regional specialization within the U.S. dairy supply chain.