News
2019 cheese, butter production up from 2018
U.S. cheese and butter production was higher in 2019 than in 2018.
The USDA says last year’s cheese production was 13.137 billion pounds, 0.8% more than the previous year, with a 1.8% increase in Italian type cheeses to 5.671 billion cancelling out 0.4% a decline for American type cheeses at 5.232 billion pounds. Wisconsin was the leading cheese producer at 25.6% of the national total, including 30% of Italian types and 19.2% of American varieties.
Butter production was 1.994 billion pounds, up 1.3%, with California the top producing state.
Dry milk powder and ice cream production were also up on the year, while whey product production was lower.
The USDA’s dairy product production numbers for March are out May 5th.
