Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 13 requests for export assistance from cooperatives that have contracts to sell 1.07 million pounds (483 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and 330,693 pounds (150 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia and Europe. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from May-October 2018.
Total CWT-assisted export sales for 2018 are 34.07 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 10.15 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 923,737 pounds of whole milk powder to 25 countries on five continents. These sales are the equivalent of 549.60 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
This activity reflects CWT beginning the process of implementing the strategic plan approved by the CWT Committee in March. The changes will enhance the effectiveness of the program and facilitate member export opportunities.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
The amounts of dairy products and related milk volumes reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. CWT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
