After setting a three-year high in 2021, the export of U.S. dairy heifers is off to a slow start in 2022. Although February’s numbers were boosted by a large shipment to Pakistan, dairy heifer exporters warn the outlook for the rest of the year has turned cloudy.

Higher prices and increased cheese exports drove the value of U.S. dairy exports higher in January, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). However, overall export volumes were down due to supply constraints and higher prices.

Declining cow numbers and receding milk production per cow pulled January 2022 U.S. milk production below year-ago levels for a third consecutive month.

Strong global demand and tight supply helped drive U.S. dairy product exports to a second consecutive volume record in 2021 and a new all-time high in value. Export volume in 2021 was equivalent to more than 17% of U.S. milk produced last year, also an all-time high, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

After a slower October, November strength in foreign sales of milk powders and cheese pushed the U.S. dairy export market toward a strong finish to 2021, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

CWT export assistance efforts focus on dairy products that positively impact producers’ milk checks: American-type cheeses, anhydrous milkfat, butter containing 82% butterfat, cream cheese and whole milk powder.

While U.S. dairy product exports are headed for a record year, the ongoing supply chain crisis could cause irreparable harm going forward, dairy industry representatives warn.

U.S. dairy exporters continued to overcome logistical challenges in July, moving more products into international markets compared to the same month a year earlier for a sixth consecutive month.

CWT export assistance efforts focus on dairy products that positively impact producers’ milk checks: American-type cheeses, anhydrous milkfat, butter containing 82% butterfat, cream cheese and whole milk powder. All these products are moving the components of U.S. dairy farmer milk overseas.

If you watched any of the 2021 Summer Olympics, you saw some “fast” athletes. U.S. dairy exporters have also had their running shoes on this summer, pushing foreign sales of dairy product and ingredient to a record pace.