5 compelling economic facts about U.S. dairy exports to Mexico (charts)

As DMI board members conduct a week-long governance mission in Mexico, USDEC highlights noteworthy data points about our No. 1  export market. 

Did you know that Mexico is the U.S. dairy industry's No. 1 export market, accounting for one-quarter of all U.S. dairy exports?

Or that nearly 90% of Mexico's dairy imports come from the United States?

Those are just a few of many facts showing the mutually beneficial economic impact of U.S. dairy exports to Mexico, our reliable trading partner to the south. 

Those sales create demand for the abundant milk U.S. dairy farmers produce and nutritious dairy products Mexicans increasingly consume.

Even if you don't milk cows or refuse cheese on your tacos, this is good news because dairy trade to Mexico is a huge driver of the 3 million U.S. jobs the dairy industry supports, many in rural communities.

Five U.S. dairy farmers arrived in Torreón, Mexico today (October 20) for a week-long governance mission sponsored by the U.S. Dairy Export Council. The trip gives Dairy Management Inc. board members overseeing USDEC an opportunity to examine the dairy checkoff program’s ongoing investment in Mexico.

With DMI board members on Mexican soil and Congress considering approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), it's a good time to highlight five compelling economic facts about U.S. dairy trade to Mexico:

1. Mexico is by far the No. 1 market for U.S. dairy exports.

No one else comes close. Other top markets, in order, are Southeast Asia, Canada, China and South Korea.

2. The $1.4 billion exported to Mexico last year accounted for one-fourth of all U.S. dairy exports. 

3. Annual U.S. dairy export volume to Mexico has increased nine straight years and grew 58% over the last five years.

Through the first eight months of 2019, U.S. dairy export value (including cheese, skim milk powder and other products sold to Mexico) was $973 million, 8% greater than January-August 2018. 

4. Dairy exports to Mexico provide more than double the "bang for the buck" in terms of U.S. economic impact.  

That information comes from an economic impact analysis by Informa Economics that factors in the economic ripple effect to U.S. industries beyond dairy. 

5. Nearly 90% of Mexico's dairy imports come from the U.S. 

This chart illustrates the remarkably high market share achieved by U.S. suppliers. This is a tribute to U.S. suppliers and the work they have done to build customer relationships in Mexico.

Mark O'Keefe is vice president of editorial services at the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Learn more:

• Infographic: Top U.S. Food and Agriculture Exports to Mexico and Canada = $40 Billion in 2018
• 7 Facts About Dairy Exports to Mexico (Infographic)
• $391 Million in Cheese Exports to Mexico Support U.S. Dairy Industry, Boost U.S. Economy
• 9 Shared Priorities of U.S. and Mexico Dairy

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The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff. How to republish this post.