Thanks to the efforts of U.S. dairy producers and processors, and organizations representing them worldwide, records have been broken in 2020 with optimism for even better days ahead.

The intensity of U.S. events in recent months has made it very easy, and sometimes necessary, in the dairy sector to be laser-focused on domestic markets, with never-before-seen price swings and a renaissance in consumer appreciation at the retail level.

But even as these challenges have whipsawed markets and led to a roller coaster of responses, positive trends are emerging in dairy markets abroad — ones that deserve more attention now and in months ahead.

New milestones achieved so far this year

U.S. Dairy’s continued evolution into an export powerhouse has quietly been reaching new milestones.

In May, monthly export volumes were the highest in more than two years. Robust gains were driven by record sales of nonfat dry milk/skim milk power and rising cheese volumes. This occurred despite COVID-19 disruptions that have spurred lockdowns worldwide. Volumes reached a new record in Southeast Asia, U.S. dairy’s biggest regional market and a crucial one to dairy’s future.

Total export volume in May was 18% higher than in the same period a year ago. Total export value also improved, 8% over year-ago levels.

While trade’s torrid pace in May isn’t expected to be maintained, continued strength is expected when June export numbers begin to be announced on Aug. 5.

For 2020 so far, dairy export volumes through May are up 10% and value has risen 12%. And most tellingly for dairy producers, trade is again becoming a bigger portion of overall demand for U.S. milk. Exports were equivalent to 17.4% of U.S. milk solids production in May, the highest rate since April 2018.

Nor was this success the result of perfect trade conditions, as evidenced by lower sales to Mexico, the largest U.S. dairy trade partner. Diversifying and increasing sales to many countries around the world underscores just how successful exporters were elsewhere.

Important work continues to be needed to boost sales even more.

A team effort working with USDEC and others

We have the great fortune to have in our corner the U.S. Dairy Export Council, which provides a unique platform to unite the entire industry through joint trade policy work. The latter work is in addition to USDEC’s work with foreign buyers and U.S. sellers to advance trade worldwide.

At NMPF, we’re proud of our work with Cooperatives Working Together, which assists in making U.S. products even more attractive abroad, patiently building the foundations for long-term industry success. We’re also active members of the Consortium for Common Food Names, which strives for a level playing field for U.S. cheeses who face discriminatory practices on food names that are continually encouraged by the European Union as it seeks its own trade agreements.

Seeking new opportunities around the world

Work across the entire dairy sector comes into play as we pursue important policy priorities that seek to enhance opportunity for our hard-working producers. Some of our efforts include defending gains we’ve already made. Others seek new frontiers with opportunities overseas.

Highlights of the current trade agenda include:

• Getting the full benefit of the bargain struck on new market access and trade rules with Canada and Mexico under USMCA.

• Working with the U.S. government to resolve impediments to trade in dairy markets around the world including in Mexico, South America, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, and more.

• Co-sponsoring a virtual town hall series designed to spur discussion on the importance of trade to America’s farmers and agricultural manufacturers (find out more here).

• Pushing for strong dairy results in ongoing trade agreement negotiations with the UK, a major dairy importing country, and with Kenya, a country with high dairy consumption for its region and notable trade barriers to dairy that an FTA could knock down.

• Advocating for the launch of additional trade deals with key markets, such as concluding a comprehensive agreement with Japan and pursuing FTAs with Southeast Asian countries.

Dairy export markets also promise to be challenging for the rest of the year. China’s purchasing decisions will be pivotal. The response of Latin America, particularly Mexico, to COVID-19 holds profound implications. Higher U.S. domestic cheese prices pose trade-competition challenges.

Exports provide something to cheer about

But at a time of incredible uncertainty and unprecedented demands for resilience across our industry, trade has helped steady dairy demand even as domestic markets have faced severe disruptions. That’s given the industry something to cheer about and build upon.

Even with the intense focus on our industry's present, it’s important to remember our future, for which trade is key. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. dairy producers and processors, and those who represent them worldwide, that future is bright.

Jim Mulhern is President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. This article first appeared as an NMPF "CEO's Corner" column. 

Learn more: 

• U.S. dairy export volume hits 2-year high

• Record sales to Southeast Asia drive April U.S. dairy export numbers higher

• RIP: U.S. Dairy honors the legacy of NAFTA
  
  

Subscribe to the U.S. Dairy Exporter Blog   

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.