As a global leader in sustainability and social responsibility, the U.S. dairy community has had a long-standing commitment to healthy people, a healthy planet and healthy communities. This commitment is furthered each and every day through innovative practices, unique capabilities and providing versatile, nutritious products. Earth Day marks a special occasion to honor U.S. Dairy’s contributions to sustainable food systems.

U.S. Dairy is positioned to help food and beverage manufacturers worldwide capitalize on the growing demand for more nutritious and delicious products made from socially, environmentally and economically responsible sources. 

Strong customer and consumer demand for U.S. cheeses and dairy ingredients drove U.S. dairy exports to record heights in 2022, setting new volume and value records. It was the third straight record year for volume and the second for value, with new annual export records set for cheese, whey and lactose. 

Export volume on a milk solids equivalent (MSE) basis increased 5% to 2.4 million metric tons (MT). Export volume in 2022 was equivalent to 18% of U.S. milk produced last year, also an all-time high. Export value increased 25% to $9.6 billion—the first time it has ever crossed the $9-billion mark.

U.S. dairy exports’ strong performance continued in the first half of 2022, following the record-breaking volume and value growth last year. Exports year-to-date are up 27% in value and 2% in volume compared to the same period last year, buoyed by a healing supply chain. In fact, the United States was the only major dairy exporter to see solid growth in exports over the past 12 months (July 2021-June 2022), reinforcing its advantages as the international supplier of choice for dairy products and ingredients.

Strong global demand for U.S. Dairy’s diverse portfolio of delicious, nutritious and sustainably produced products helped drive exports to new records in 2021, both in terms of volume and value. U.S. dairy export volume last year increased 10% over 2020 to more than 2.3 million metric tons (MT) milk solid equivalent. Value rose 18% to US$7.75 billion. Export volume in 2021 was equivalent to more than 17% of U.S. milk produced last year, also an all-time high.