March dairy exports set record

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March dairy exports set record

The U.S. Dairy Export Council says dairy exports were an all-time high in March driven by record shipments of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder and whey.

Dairy exports during March were up more than 24 percent in volume to more than 215,000 metric tons and up more than 16 percent in value to $688 million, the highest value in seven years. 

The council says the increase in demand is likely tied to shipping backlogs improving and firm demand for ingredients are expected to support exports in the months ahead.

Total nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder exports grew nearly 40 percent compared to 2020 volumes while whey was up more than 30 percent. Demand from Asia was up 24 percent on the year while, specifically, whey exports to China were up 110 percent, and nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder to Mexico increased by nearly 30 percent.

U.S. cheese exports increased nearly 11 percent compared to last year.  Butterfat exports were up nearly 150 percent.

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