| U.S. dairy exports as a percent of production | ||||
|
Sept. |
Sept. |
Jan.-Sept. |
Jan.-Sept. |
|
| Item |
2015 |
2014 |
2015 |
2014 |
| NDM/SMP |
71% |
46% |
53% |
54% |
| Total cheese |
5.1% |
6.6% |
6.2% |
7.5% |
| Butterfat |
1.1% |
3.9% |
2.8% |
9.9% |
| Dry sweet whey |
32% |
52% |
43% |
60% |
| Lactose |
85% |
70% |
75% |
65% |
| Total milk solids |
14.8% |
13.1% |
14.3% |
15.7% |
| Source: USDA, USDEC, NMPF | ||||
U.S. suppliers aggressively moved milk powder in September, drawing down inventories and boosting overall export volume after falling in each of the previous four months, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council’s Global Dairy Market Outlook.
Suppliers shipped 149,451 tons of milk powders, cheese, butterfat, whey and lactose in September, up 9% from a year ago, and up 11% from August (on a daily-average basis). Total overseas sales were valued at $399 million, down 18% from last year, but up 6% from August (daily average).
Exports of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) were 47,482 tons in September, the most since May, and 47% more than a year ago. Gains were driven by record shipments to Mexico – 27,440 tons, more than double last year’s sales. Suppliers also moved 2,519 tons of NDM/SMP to Pakistan, making it the third-largest customer for the month. In the first three quarters of the year, exports to Mexico and Pakistan were up 19% and 584%, respectively.
Two other product categories also posted noteworthy increases over prior-year levels. Whey protein concentrate exports were 21,531 tons, up 38% from a year ago, led by a big jump in sales to China.
Lactose exports were 33,398 tons, up 15%, paced by a large increase in shipments to New Zealand.
Other categories, however, continue to lag. Cheese exports were 22,192 tons, down 20% from last year. Volume has now trailed year-ago levels for 12 straight months. Shipments to South Korea (-51%), Japan (-46%) and the Middle East/North Africa region (-43%) were down significantly.
Exports of dry, sweet whey were just 11,269 tons, the lowest figure in 11 years. Sales to almost every major customer were down, led by a 64% fall-off in sales to China. Whey protein isolate exports were just 1,980 tons, down 35%, and here, too, sales to China were just a fraction of prior-year levels.
Butterfat exports were just 665 tons, the smallest figure since July 2009.
U.S. exports (on a total milk solids basis) were equivalent to 14.8% of U.S. milk solids production in September, bringing the year- to-date percentage to 14.3%. Imports were equivalent to 3.3% of production for the month, the lowest figure since April.
To see the full report, click here.
