Total U.S. dairy export value in 2014 rose 6 percent over the prior year to reach US$7.11 billion, exceeding the $7-billion mark for the first time. This was the fifth consecutive record for U.S. dairy exports, with a strong start at the beginning of 2014 offsetting a slowdown in the second half of the year. Exports to Mexico (+15% by value), South Korea (+39%) and Japan (+34%) were up significantly in 2014, while shipments to Southeast Asia, China and Canada were steady at near 2013 totals.

InnovateWithDairy.com users are invited to explore our new website, ThinkUSAdairy.org, designed for global buyers, food service professionals and food and beverage manufacturers. The U.S. Dairy Export Council is proud to launch this new online resource highlighting the quality dairy products and services provided by the U.S. dairy industry. Key features like the Supplier Directory and prototype formulations are still available from the old website. However, the new web presence offers expanded on-the-go resources like product information, nutrition and trends, and details of the U.S. dairy industry's commitment to supplying the world. Also stay updated on what's new in the world of U.S. Dairy by signing up to receive email notifications under our News & Events section.

The U.S. Dairy Pavilion within the Gulfood show in Dubai was the scene of bustling activity, as U.S. dairy suppliers connected with both new and existing customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Gulfood Show, held February 8-12, 2015, is the premier food and hospitality show in the region, attracting buyers, end-users and chefs. Six USDEC member companies (Agropur, James Farrell and Co., Ronald A. Chisholm, Ltd., Saputo, Sartori and TC Jacoby and Co.) exhibited together with USDEC within the U.S. Dairy Pavilion, showcasing the vast portfolio of quality U.S. cheeses, whey ingredients, milk powders, butter and more. Several additional U.S. suppliers had their own booths or used the show as a platform for one-on-one customer meetings. In total, eighteen U.S. dairy companies participated in the Gulfood show, a reflection of the U.S. dairy industry's enthusiasm to expand and strengthen ties with customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Recently published nutrition study shows the impact of whey protein compared to carbohydrate on the satiety regulating hormone response and changes in plasma amino acids in normal-weight adult women.This research is a follow-up to previously published data by the same authors(same subjects/data set:Chungchunlam SMS et al. (2012). Appetite; 52:281-288) where the whey protein preload significantly reduced food intake at the test meal compared to the carbohydrate preload. It provides possible mechanistic support (favorable changes in various satiety regulating hormones)for the differences in energy intake reported previously. It adds to the growing body of evidence of how whey proteins may influence satiety responses and subsequent energy intake. The research from the Riddet Institute, Massey University by SMS Chungchunlam is titled "Dietary whey protein influences plasma satiety-related hormones and plasma amino acids in normal-weight adult women." It was published online January 7, 2015 and can be found in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2015) 69, 179-186.

160 food and beverage industry decision makers attended the USDEC Healthy Snacking seminar held in Tokyo on October 31, 2014. Speakers included confectionery R&D expert Bob Boutin of Knechtel, dairy ingredient applications expert KJ Burrington of the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, and local functional snacking expert and enthusiast, Dr. Kazunaga Yazawa of Waseda University. The speakers inspired attendees to expand "better for you" product lines utilizing U.S. whey and milk proteins that meet Japanese consumer lifestyles and health and wellness needs.