U.S. dairy exporters boosted volume across a number of key products and markets in November 2016, a potential indication that 2017 could be another strong year for U.S. dairy demand across the globe. Here is a snapshot of the past reporting period: 168,706 tons of milk powders, cheese, butterfat, whey and lactose were exported in November, the most in 18 months, and topping year-ago levels for the sixth straight month. Overall, the U.S. dairy export value was $429 million in November, up 14% from a year earlier. 

Strong year-end resurgence in U.S. dairy ingredient exports

During a five-month period, ending November 2016, worldwide U.S. exports of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) climbed 25%, whey was up 36%, whey protein concentrate (WPC) rose 28% and whey protein isolate (WPI) increased 39%.

Additional notable gains over the latest five-month period vs. the prior year included:

• Exports of NDM/SMP to Southeast Asia were up 68% (+40,000 tons), led by strong shipments to the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.
• Exports of dry whey to China nearly tripled (+25,000 tons) and shipments of WPC to China increased 32% (+15,000 tons).
• Exports of NDM/SMP to Mexico increased 11% (+12,000 tons).
• Exports of WPC to Southeast Asia increased 43% (+6,000 tons), led by Malaysia, while lactose to the region increased 29% (+9,000 tons).

U.S. Cheese exports on the rise

U.S. cheese exports also recorded solid gains, expanding 7% worldwide in the last two months of the reporting period (October-November 2016).

• U.S. cheese exports to Mexico exceeded 16,200 tons, up 21% (+2,860 tons) vs. the prior year.
• During the last three months (September to November), U.S. cheese exports to South Korea approached 11,000 tons, up 24% (+2,100 tons) vs. the prior year.