January 8, 2020
Jim Dickrell
For the third straight month in a row, U.S. dairy exports in November were up over year-earlier levels.
On a total milk solids basis, U.S. dairy exports equated to 15.8% of U.S. milk production in November, and through the first 11 months of 2019, were equal to 14.6% of production, reports the U.S Dairy Export Council (USDEC).
The news was good across the board. On a tonnage basis, November exports were up 14% over last year. On a milk solids basis, total dairy exports were up 16%. And on a value basis, exports totaled $536.4 million, up 21% and the most since April 2015 (on an average daily basis).
Exports of non-fat dry milk and skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) were up an astounding 41% from a year ago, thanks to both a competitive price advantage and the clearance of European Union intervention stocks earlier this year. “U.S. shipments to Southeast Asia were 27,384 tons, more than double year-ago levels,” says USDEC. Sales to Columbia were up more than five-fold, and sales to China and the Middle East/North Africa were the highest of 2019. Sales to Mexico, our largest overall powder importer, were down 24%.
Cheese sales were up 6% from a year ago, and the most in five months. Korea, Japan and Mexico all reported strong gains, though Australian sales were off by nearly half.
Total whey sales continued to rebound, and were at the highest volume in five months. Still whey sales were off 7% from a year ago. Whey sales to China continue to lag, down 28% from last year.
Whole milk powder sales were up 6% in November, with Columbia the brightest market. “However, sales to Vietnam, U.S.’ largest customer in 2018, have dried up this year,” reports USDEC.
milkbusiness.com
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