Milk output in the United States has increased by 96% since 1975, hitting a record high of 226.6 billion pounds in 2023. This milk is used to make cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, dry milk, whey products, and condensed milk. However, American dairy consumption is decreasing, with 47% less milk drank than in 1975.
Eating patterns are influencing the dairy sector, with the typical American consuming around 1 1/4 cups of milk per day in 2022. The consumption of cottage cheese and sherbet has declined the highest, by 58% and 56% respectively. However, yogurt, cheese, and dry whole milk have grown faster than milk, with dry whole milk up 161%, cheese up 179%, and yogurt up 608%.
Milk remains the most popular dairy product, with cheese coming in second, followed by frozen dairy products, which average roughly 22.2 pounds per person. The USDA advises ingesting 2-3 cups of dairy products each day, yet 90% of the US population does not follow this standard. A 2021 USDA research discovered two major trends: the number of solo milk drinkers decreased from 31% in 2009-10 to 22% in 2017-18, and the percentage of milk-with-cereal users decreased from 23% in 2003-04 to 19% in 2017-18.
Plant-based milk sales have surged, although they account for just a tiny portion of the total drop in cow milk consumption. More study on product pricing, family income, and customer tastes and preferences is required to reach a more definite conclusion.
Americans’ dairy preferences are shifting; although milk remains the most popular dairy product, consumption is declining, and gains in cheese and yogurt do not compensate for the loss in milk.
