Archive for U.S. cheese production

Where Did All That Cheese Go? What the USDA’s November Dairy Product Production Report Really Means for Your Milk Check

More cheese, no price crash: did 44 million pounds of U.S. cheese really ‘disappear’ in November—and what does that do to your milk check?

Executive Summary: U.S. cheese production jumped 5.9% to 1.22 billion pounds in November 2025, and milk output rose 4.7%—yet Cold Storage stocks didn’t hit new records, and Class III held firmer than the old “more cheese = lower prices” rule would predict. The reason is structural: roughly 40 to 50 million pounds of cheese flowed through channels that bypass traditional inventory tracking—contract mozzarella for food service, record exports exceeding 1 billion pounds in 2024 (led by Mexico at 38% of volume), and fast-turn value-added products. CME cheddar and Class III now reflect a shrinking share of total U.S. cheese, which means producers relying on those signals alone are flying partially blind. Midwest cheddar-heavy farms still need Cold Storage and CME, but Western and export-linked operations should track USDEC export data and global demand just as closely. The playbook: diversify your indicators, hedge 30–50% of your milk when prices fit your cost structure, ask your buyer how much of their output is cheddar vs. mozzarella vs. exports, and invest in components and transition-cow management—the variables you actually control. The cheese didn’t vanish; the market just evolved faster than many mental models could keep up.

Forty‑four million pounds. That’s not a rounding error; that’s a pretty good sign that the way U.S. dairy moves is changing on us, and you can feel it in your milk check long before you sit down with the latest USDA report.

Looking at the hard numbers first keeps everyone honest. In its Dairy Products report released January 6, 2026, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says total natural cheese production, excluding cottage cheese, was 1.22 billion pounds in November 2025, 5.9% higher than in November 2024. At the same time, USDA Cold Storage data describe cheese inventories as substantial but still below the “record cheese in cold storage” mark set back in October 2023, when stocks hit about 1.46 billion pounds and made headlines as an all‑time high.

So the data suggests production moved up sharply, but stocks didn’t jump to fresh record levels alongside it. When you put that 5.9% year‑over‑year increase on a 1.22‑billion‑pound base next to “high but not record” storage language, you end up with a rough, implied gap on the order of tens of millions of pounds—somewhere in that 40‑ to 50‑million‑pound neighborhood of cheese that got made in November but didn’t show up as a big extra bulge in the Cold Storage number most of us still watch.

Production climbed 6% year-over-year while Cold Storage stayed below 2023 records—the 40-to-50-million-pound monthly gap is real, and it’s structural

And you know, this isn’t happening in a year when milk is just muddling along. USDA’s Milk Production report released December 22, 2025, puts November output in the 24 major dairy states at 18.1 billion pounds, up 4.7% from November 2024, with total U.S. production at 18.8 billion pounds, up 4.5% on the year. Recent media reports have all noted how quickly both cow numbers and production per cow rose in 2025 compared with 2023–24. On top of that, work on milk composition and efficiency, along with extension discussions from programs like Wisconsin, Cornell, and Penn State, continues to show gradual gains in butterfat performance and protein levels, tied to better fresh-cow management, tighter transition‑period protocols, and greater focus on cow comfort and ration design.

So the milk is there, and the components are there. But the old, simple pattern—more milk, more cheese, more cheese piling up in storage—just doesn’t jump out of the latest reports the way it used to, and that’s where the story really starts to matter for your milk check.

Looking at This Trend Without the Noise

What farmers are finding, when they actually sit down with a coffee and walk through the USDA reports, is that the November numbers make a lot more sense once you separate “how much we made” from “where it went.”

On the production side, the story is pretty straightforward. USDA’s November 2025 Dairy Products summary lays it out plainly: total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.22 billion pounds, 5.9% above November 2024 and 3.4% below October 2025. Earlier Dairy Products releases in 2025, and coverage in Brownfield and Cheese Market News describe “more cheese and butter, less whey and powder” and solid year‑over‑year growth across much of the cheese complex, which lines up with what a lot of you have seen in plant‑level reports. Reports has also noted that as butterfat and protein levels in the milk pool have trended higher, more cheese can be produced from every 100 pounds of milk.

On the inventory side, USDA Cold Storage reports and late‑2023 commentary from Brownfield make it clear that October 2023 remains the record high for cheese in storage, at around 1.46 billion pounds. Later updates through 2024 and into 2025 talk about “heavy” or “ample” stocks but don’t flag new records, which fits with what we see in the market: plenty of cheese around, but not a repeat of that 2023 peak.

When you put those two pieces together, the math keeps pointing in the same direction. Production is up sharply. Inventories aren’t pushing into new record territory. The difference—again, roughly that 40‑ to 50‑million‑pound range in a month like November, when you ballpark it—is being absorbed somewhere other than long‑term storage. The real question is where it’s going, and that’s where things start to get interesting.

ChannelEstimated Monthly Volume (Million lbs)% of GapWhy It Bypasses Cold Storage
Export Programs15–2035–40%Moves plant → port consolidator → container; not surveyed in NASS commercial stocks
Contract Mozzarella (Food Service)12–1825–35%Tight delivery schedules for pizza chains; lean inventories, frequent shipments
Fast-Turn Value-Added Products5–810–15%Shredded blends, cheese ingredients, protein-fortified products sold B2B with short lead times
Direct Retail & Private Label3–56–10%Moves quickly through retailer DCs; minimal time in commercial cold storage
Other & Timing Differences2–44–8%Reporting lags, in-transit inventory, non-surveyed smaller warehouses
TOTAL GAP40–50100%

What’s Interesting About Mozzarella Right Now

Looking at this trend, what’s interesting is that the cheese telling the story isn’t cheddar; it’s mozzarella.

USDA’s breakdowns for Italian‑type and American‑type cheeses in the Dairy Products reports show multiple recent months when Italian‑type cheese—including mozzarella—grew faster than total cheese, while American‑type cheese, including cheddar, lagged behind or even slipped below year‑ago levels. September 2024 total cheese production was about 1.16 billion pounds, up slightly from 2023, with Italian‑type cheese up 1.5% year‑over‑year at 487 million pounds and American‑type cheese down 3.7% from a year earlier. That same USDA snapshot showed butter production at 159 million pounds, up 11.3% on the year; nonfat dry milk production up 14.3%; and skim milk powder down 21.4%, which suggests plants are actively shifting cream and skim between product streams as markets move.

From a technical angle, researchers at places like the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Research and other dairy science groups have explained that low‑moisture mozzarella for pizza is designed for fast movement rather than long aging. The functional shelf life and performance window for pizza mozz are shorter than those for many cheddar styles, and large food‑service buyers—national pizza chains, regional restaurant distributors—try to run lean inventories with regular, frequent deliveries rather than big piles of cheese sitting in a freezer somewhere.

MonthItalian-Type CheeseAmerican-Type Cheese
Sep 2024+1.5%-3.7%
Oct 2024+3.2%-1.2%
Nov 2024+2.8%+0.5%
Sep 2025+4.1%+1.0%
Oct 2025+5.3%+2.1%
Nov 2025+6.2%+3.4%

On the ground, what I’ve noticed—and it lines up with what you hear in risk‑management workshops and plant visits—is that mozzarella lines are often heavily tied to contracts. Plants usually have a pretty tight handle on what their core accounts need week to week and month to month, whether that’s a national chain program, a regional distributor, or a long‑term export deal, and they run those vats accordingly. They’re not churning out mozzarella “on spec” the way some cheddar used to move; they’re filling orders that are already on the books.

Cheddar’s role is shifting at the same time. USDA data shows American‑type cheese growing more slowly than “all cheese” in several months, and in some cases running below year‑earlier levels while Italian‑type keeps climbing. Analysis of cheese markets and export opportunities has also highlighted about $ 4 billion in new cheese plants slated to come online through 2027, with new facilities already taking milk in Kansas and Texas and more expansions underway in the Upper Midwest, along the East Coast, and in the West. Company announcements and industry reporting emphasize mozzarella, Hispanic cheeses, and other value‑added styles as key outputs from many of these investments, often alongside powders and concentrated fat and protein ingredients.

This development suggests a structural disconnect that a lot of you are feeling in your milk checks. The CME spot market and the Class III milk price formula still lean heavily on cheddar blocks and barrels plus dry whey, as research on U.S. dairy futures, price transmission, and market integration has documented. When a growing share of U.S. cheese production is mozzarella and other styles that are locked into contracts or export channels, and a smaller share is “loose” cheddar available to show up in CME trading and Cold Storage, total cheese production and CME‑visible cheddar supply just aren’t tied together like they used to be.

To put some numbers behind that feeling, think about a farm shipping around 80,000 pounds of milk in a month. Each one‑dollar move in Class III is roughly 800 dollars up or down in gross revenue for that month, because 80,000 pounds is 800 hundredweights. On a 500‑cow freestall in the Midwest, that’s a noticeable swing. On a 3,000‑cow dry lot system in the Southwest, you multiply that impact several times over. So the way cheese moves—cheddar versus mozzarella, domestic versus export—flows straight back to your bottom line.

Herd Size / TypeMonthly Milk Volume (lbs)Impact of $1.00 Class III Move (Monthly)Impact of $1.50 Range Over 12 Months (Annual)% of Typical Net Margin
80-cow grazing (Northeast)80,000$800$14,400~12–15%
500-cow freestall (Midwest)500,000$5,000$90,000~10–13%
1,200-cow (Western/Midwest)1,200,000$12,000$216,000~9–12%
3,000-cow dry lot (West)3,000,000$30,000$540,000~8–11%

And if you zoom out a bit, a $1.50 per hundredweight range over a year on those same 80,000 pounds a month adds up to about $14,400 of gross revenue, swinging one way or the other. That’s real money when you start lining it up against feed bills, interest payments, or the cost of upgrading fresh cow facilities.

Exports: The Other Big Piece of the Puzzle

What farmers are finding, when they look beyond domestic reports, is that exports are quietly soaking up a lot of that “extra” cheese.

Media reports in early 2025 that U.S. cheese exports through November 2024 reached 1.028 billion pounds, the first time they’d crossed the billion‑pound mark. Mexico alone accounted for 392 million pounds of that total, roughly 38% of all U.S. cheese exports, and increased its cheese imports from the U.S. by 32% compared with the same period in 2023. The Bullvine’s own coverage of that milestone drew on USDEC and USDA Foreign Agricultural Service data and noted that South Korea, Japan, Central America, and several Middle Eastern buyers also increased their cheese purchases from the U.S., helping push exports over that threshold.

YearMexico All Other Destinations Total
2022280 million lbs420 million lbs700 million lbs
2023298 million lbs482 million lbs780 million lbs
2024392 million lbs636 million lbs1,028 million lbs

A 2024 export review in Progressive Dairy and Dairy Processing reported that total U.S. dairy export value reached about 8.2 billion dollars in 2024, with cheese exports totaling roughly 508,808 metric tons—about 1.12 billion pounds—an improvement of around 17% over 2023. That same coverage highlighted Mexico and Canada together taking more than 40% of U.S. dairy export value, with Mexico importing about 2.47 billion dollars’ worth of U.S. dairy products and Canada around 1.14 billion. USDEC’s own summaries reinforce that cheese has become a leading export item by volume and value for the U.S. in recent years, especially into North American and Asian markets.

In plain language, those buyers are acting like a second home market for U.S. cheese. That’s the kind of demand that can absorb a lot of “extra” product before it ever shows up as a big stock build in Cold Storage.

So if you step back from the individual line items, it’s pretty clear where a big chunk of that “missing” 40‑ to 50‑million‑pound gap in a month like November can go. It doesn’t stick around in domestic Cold Storage because much of it simply leaves the country through export channels.

Physically, export cheese tends to follow a different path than domestic retail cheese. It often moves from the plant to a specialized consolidator or a warehouse near a port, then into refrigerated containers bound for overseas destinations, spending relatively little time in the broad commercial cold‑storage facilities that NASS surveys for its stock reports. The same pattern holds for concentrated butterfat products—anhydrous milk fat and high‑fat blends—produced for export or industrial customers, which are usually sold under contract and don’t always show up neatly in the familiar “butter in cold storage” figures.

Fast‑Moving Channels and Value‑Added Products

What’s interesting here is that exports aren’t the only thing changing how cheese and components move. Domestic distribution has been evolving right alongside the global story.

Industry reporting has highlighted the growing share of cheese and dairy ingredients moving through food‑service and business‑to‑business channels, supported by regular, frequent shipments and lean inventory strategies. Major restaurant chains and broadline distributors often prefer multiple smaller deliveries rather than big, infrequent loads, especially when they’re dealing with shredded mozzarella, custom blends, or ingredient cheeses tailored to specific food manufacturers.

At the same time, research reviews and applied nutrition work are documenting steady growth in value‑added fluid and high‑protein dairy products—filtered milks, protein‑fortified beverages, and specialty dairy drinks—that build on higher butterfat and protein levels in the milk supply. Several recent and planned processing projects in states like Kansas and Texas, highlighted by regional agribusiness outlets, are designed to produce both cheese and higher‑value components, capturing more value from butterfat and protein rather than simply pushing volume into commodity powder and bulk butter.

All of this lines up with what many of us have seen on the ground over the last decade: that old “production minus stocks” rule of thumb used to capture a big chunk of what was happening in the market. Today, it describes a smaller slice. The milk still gets turned into product, and the product still gets sold, but more of it is moving through channels—export programs, contract‑driven mozzarella lines, food‑service and ingredient streams, and value‑added beverages—that don’t create large, slow‑moving inventories in the specific warehouses USDA tracks as “cheese in cold storage.”

How This Feels in Different Milksheds

The national data might be the same on paper, but it sure doesn’t feel that way on every farm. Regional context matters a lot, and it’s worth talking about that openly.

In Wisconsin operations and across much of the Upper Midwest, a large share of milk still goes into plants with substantial American‑type cheese capacity, even though many of those plants have added Italian‑type and specialty cheese lines in recent years. Many Midwest producers will tell you they still watch Cold Storage reports and CME cheddar prices almost like a weather forecast, because historically those numbers have been tightly linked to local basis and premiums—a relationship regional market updates and extension economists in that area often highlight. As more capacity in the Midwest shifts toward mozzarella and specialty cheeses, though, that one‑to‑one connection gets noisier. The indicators still matter; they just don’t explain everything the way they used to.

In California and the broader West, a lot of major plants built or expanded over the last decade were designed from day one with exports and value‑added production in mind. These facilities commonly produce mozzarella, Hispanic cheeses, milk powders, and concentrated fat and protein ingredients for both domestic and international customers, a pattern that shows up repeatedly in Western market updates and company announcements. Western producers shipping to those plants are often just as focused on export program health, port congestion, and global demand as they are on Cold Storage or the latest Dairy Products report, because their milk checks are heavily influenced by what’s happening outside U.S. borders.

In the Northeast, quite a few smaller and grazing‑based family farms still ship to fluid bottlers, regional brands, or specialty cheesemakers. Their daily reality revolves around local retail demand, co‑op policies, and regional brand strength, which is a story you see in provincial and state‑level dairy board and market reports. Even so, their blend prices and over‑order premiums still flow out of a federal order system tied back to national Class I, III, and IV values, which respond to the same production, inventory, and export trends we’ve been walking through.

For Canadian readers operating under supply management, it’s worth noting that while quota systems and Canadian Dairy Commission programs do buffer day‑to‑day volatility at the farm gate, the same global trends in cheese exports, product mix, and component emphasis still influence processor investment decisions and trade pressures that show up in national board discussions and long‑term policy debates.

So, as many of us have seen, one size doesn’t fit all. The November numbers are the same across the country—and, in many ways, across the border too—but the way they land in your mailbox depends heavily on who’s buying your milk, what they’re making with it, and how much of their business leans on cheddar, mozzarella, Class III versus Class IV, exports, or value‑added products.

Region / MilkshedDominant Cheese TypesPrimary Price Signals to WatchExport ExposureHedging PriorityWhat Keeps You Up at Night
Midwest (WI, MN, IA)Cheddar, some mozzarellaCME blocks/barrels, Cold Storage, Class III futuresModerate (15–25% of volume)CME Class III options, DRPCold Storage builds, cheddar oversupply
West (CA, ID, NM, TX)Mozzarella, Hispanic cheeses, powdersUSDEC exports, global powder prices, Class III & IVHigh (30–45% of volume)Class III/IV combo, export contract hedgesMexico demand swings, port delays, trade disputes
Northeast (PA, NY, VT)Regional brands, specialty, fluidClass I differentials, regional blend price, over-order premiumsLow (5–15% of volume)Basis contracts, limited futuresFluid demand decline, retail brand strength, local co-op health

What Farmers Are Finding Helps in This Environment

So, sitting here over coffee, the real question is: what do you actually do with all this?

One thing I’ve noticed, and it matches what land‑grant risk‑management programs are teaching, is that relying on a single gauge doesn’t work very well anymore. Watching only cheese production, or only Cold Storage, or only the Class III board is a good way to be surprised. The producers who seem most comfortable navigating this changing landscape tend to watch a mix of signals—USDA Milk Production and Dairy Products reports, Cold Storage updates, USDEC and USDA export statistics, plus the information they get from their buyers and co‑ops.

That’s why much of the extension work focuses on partial hedging strategies rather than “all in” or “all out” approaches. The idea isn’t to guess the exact top or bottom; it’s to lock in a portion of your milk—often something in that 30% to 50% range—for a few months ahead when futures or Dairy Revenue Protection coverage levels line up with your cost structure, and leave the rest open to the market. That way, a nasty price surprise doesn’t hit 100% of your volume, but you’re not completely locked into a price that might look too low if markets rally later. For a 500‑cow herd shipping around 80,000 pounds a month, covering even a third of that volume means several hundred hundredweights are insulated if Class III falls apart for a few weeks, which can be the difference between a bad month and a really rough one.

Of course, none of those tools are free. Hedging carries costs and margin requirements, and stepping up your risk‑management program means investing more time in tracking markets and working with advisors. Improving fresh cow management and the transition period requires investing time, training, and often capital in facilities, rations, or monitoring, as on-farm case studies and extension bulletins regularly point out. But when you line those costs up next to the revenue swings that come with a volatile Class III and the kind of structural shifts we’re seeing in cheese markets, a lot of farms are deciding it’s worth putting at least some of those tools to work.

On top of price tools, butterfat performance and protein yield are still right at the center of most advisory conversations, and for good reason. Research and on‑farm work from programs such as Penn State, Cornell, and Wisconsin consistently show that better transition‑period management, less stress on fresh cows, and careful ration balancing are among the most reliable levers you’ve got for improving components and overall milk value. You can’t control where CME cheddar settles next week. You absolutely can influence how your cows come through calving, what their transition period looks like, and how efficiently they convert feed into fat and protein.

It’s also worth talking directly with your buyer or co‑op. Producers who ask questions such as, “Roughly what share of your cheese output is cheddar versus mozzarella or other styles?” and “How much of your volume is tied to export programs or food‑service contracts?” usually walk away with a much clearer picture of what drives their basis and premiums. You’re not asking them to hand over their business plan; you’re trying to understand whether your milk check is more exposed to CME cheddar swings, changing export demand, or shifts in domestic retail and food‑service patterns.

If you want to get even more practical, here are a few simple starting points producers are using:

  • If you’re a Midwest farm heavily tied to cheddar:
    Keep a close eye on CME block and barrel prices, USDA Cold Storage cheese stocks, and Class III futures, and ask your co‑op how much of their output is still commodity cheddar versus mozzarella or specialty styles. That helps you judge how quickly a cheddar price break could hit your basis compared with a neighbor shipping to a plant with a more mixed product portfolio.
  • If you’re shipping to a Western plant focused on mozzarella and exports:
    Add USDEC export summaries, global cheese price comparisons, and port or logistics updates to your watch list, and ask how much of your milk ends up in export programs under long‑term contracts. That gives you a better handle on how trade disputes, freight issues, or foreign demand swings might show up in your mailbox, even when domestic stocks look comfortable.
  • If you’re a smaller Northeast or grazing‑based operation:
    Track Class I, III, and IV prices plus regional blend prices, and talk with your buyer or co‑op about how their product mix—fluid, regional brands, or specialty cheese—feeds back into your over‑order premiums. That helps you see whether your check is more sensitive to local fluid demand or to the same cheese and export forces driving the national conversation.

For co‑ops and processors, the same November data push in a similar direction. Channel mix is now a strategic decision, not just an operational detail. Knowing how much of your product mix goes into retail grocery, food‑service, industrial ingredients, and export programs helps you decide which data streams you absolutely need on your dashboard—Cold Storage, Dairy Market News, Global Dairy Trade auctions, USDEC export statistics, scanner data for retail cheese and butter, and even global futures where appropriate. It’s why more co‑ops and plants are building simple internal dashboards that put USDA production and inventory reports next to export volumes and global price indices, something extension economists and industry consultants have been encouraging in board‑room and planning sessions.

The Bottom Line

What’s encouraging in all this is that the system isn’t broken; it’s evolving.

We’ve got more milk and more cheese than we did a year ago, according to the USDA’s Milk Production and Dairy Products reports for November 2025. Butterfat performance and protein levels have improved on many farms after years of work on genetics, fresh-cow management, and the transition period, a trend reflected in both research and industry commentary. U.S. cheese exports have pushed past the billion‑pound mark for the first time, with Mexico and a growing list of other countries playing major roles, as documented by USDEC‑linked trade summaries. New plants worth billions of dollars are coming online, many of them designed to make mozzarella and other value‑added cheeses along with powders and concentrated components for both domestic and global markets.

So when someone says, “Forty‑four million pounds of cheese disappeared in November,” you know the cheese didn’t vanish. It moved through channels that our old mental shortcuts don’t always capture very well—contract‑driven mozzarella destined for pizza ovens, record‑level export programs, fast‑turn food‑service and ingredient sales, and value‑added dairy products that don’t pile up in the Cold Storage bins we all grew up watching.

If you keep that bigger picture in mind while you’re checking USDA reports, talking with your buyer, and planning your own risk and herd management, you’ll be in a better spot to decide what to lock in, what to leave open, and where to invest your time and dollars—whether that’s tightening transition‑cow protocols, tweaking rations to support stronger butterfat performance, or asking a few more pointed questions at your next co‑op meeting about where your milk really goes once it leaves the yard. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Production up, stocks flat: November 2025 cheese hit 1.22 billion pounds (+5.9% YoY), yet Cold Storage didn’t set new records—roughly 40-50 million pounds moved through exports, contract mozzarella, and fast-turn channels that bypass traditional tracking.
  • Exports are a second-home market: U.S. cheese exports topped 1 billion pounds in 2024 for the first time; Mexico took 38% of the volume, absorbing supply before it piles up in storage.
  • CME cheddar no longer tells the whole story: Class III reflects a shrinking slice of total U.S. cheese—if Cold Storage and block prices are your only signals, you’re flying partially blind.
  • Regional exposure varies: Midwest cheddar-heavy farms still need CME and Cold Storage; Western and export-linked operations should weight USDEC data and global demand equally.
  • Control what you can: butterfat performance, transition-cow protocols, partial hedging (30-50%), and knowing where your milk actually goes matter more than guessing where cheddar will settle next week.

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Complete references and supporting documentation are available upon request by contacting the editorial team at editor@thebullvine.com.

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American Cheese Surges While Mozzarella Stalls: A Wake-Up Call for Dairy’s Future

American cheese surges as Mozzarella stalls-Q1 2025’s dairy shift demands new strategies. Export boom offsets pizza slump.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The U.S. cheese market diverged sharply in Q1 2025: American-style cheese production rebounded 3.3%, fueled by new processing plants and record exports, while Mozzarella declined 0.9% amid pizza chain struggles. U.S. cheese exports hit 140,874 metric tons (+7% YoY), leveraging a 20-25% price advantage over global markets. As processors pivot milk toward storable American cheeses, dairy producers must adapt to shifting component values and global trade dynamics. The article urges farmers to align with export-driven strategies and reassess milk quality metrics to thrive in this transformed landscape.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • American cheese thrives: 3.3% production surge driven by new capacity and exports; Cheddar output up 2.8%.
  • Mozzarella stumbles: First decline in 15 months (-0.9%) as pizza chains like Pizza Hut (-5% sales) struggle.
  • Export lifeline: Record Q1 exports at 140,874 MT (+7%), with U.S. prices 20-25% below global competitors.
  • Strategic shift: Processors prioritize storable American cheeses; farmers must optimize components (protein/fat) for export markets.
  • Wake-up call: Over-reliance on domestic pizza demand risks profitability; diversify markets or face margin pressure.
U.S. cheese production, American cheese, Mozzarella market, dairy exports, Q1 2025 cheese trends

American-style cheese production roars back with a 3.3% first-quarter increase while Mozzarella hits its first decline in 15 months. The days of riding both markets to stability are over; divergent signals indicate a fundamental shift in how dairy producers must position their operations. Those who fail to recognize these market signals risk being left behind in an increasingly global dairy landscape.

American Cheese Stages a Remarkable Comeback

Remember when everyone was fretting about American cheese production last year? Those concerns now seem like ancient history, about as relevant as previous generations’ proven sires. After stumbling through 2024 with production down more than 3% year-over-year, American-style cheese has staged a dramatic turnaround in the first quarter of 2025.

According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service data released May 6, cheesemakers churned out more than 1.4 billion pounds of American-style cheese in Q1, a robust 3.3% increase from the same period in 2024. The momentum built as the quarter progressed, with March production reaching 500 million pounds, a significant 4.6% jump from March 2024. Like a well-managed Holstein herd hitting peak performance post-calving, the cheese industry’s production curve is trending upward.

Cheddar cheese has truly earned its “comeback kid” moniker. After falling 11 months during 2024 and again in January 2025, Cheddar finally broke its losing streak with year-over-year growth in February and March. This resurgence brought Q1 Cheddar output to 984 million pounds; a solid 2.8% increase compared to Q1 2024.

What’s driving this impressive reversal? Much of it comes down to strategic capacity investments made years ago that are now bearing fruit, not unlike those genomic selection decisions you made three years ago, finally paying dividends in the milking string. Several new, large-scale cheese manufacturing plants in states like Texas, South Dakota, and Kansas have recently come online or ramped up production.

But here’s what should concern you: This capacity expansion was planned years ago, when market conditions were entirely different. While long-range capital planning is necessary in our industry, the dairy processing sector committed to producing significantly more cheese without guaranteeing that the domestic market could absorb it. How many other agricultural industries would build massive new production capacity without firm commitments from buyers? This raises serious questions about our industry’s approach to expansion planning.

Mozzarella Hits an Unexpected Speed Bump

While American cheese celebrates its resurgence, Mozzarella, the growth engine for U.S. cheese production in recent years, has hit turbulence. USDA data reveals that March 2025 saw Mozzarella output decline by 0.9% compared to March 2024, marking the first year-over-year decrease in 15 months. It’s a classic case of component stream diversion; processors are redirecting the solids-not-fat (SNF) in your milk toward products with stronger market pull.

This downturn is particularly striking given Mozzarella’s stellar performance throughout 2024, when manufacturers produced a record 4.6 billion pounds, bolstered by robust export demand. So, what’s changed?

In a word: pizza. Or more precisely, the lack of it being ordered by American consumers. The pizza restaurant category is experiencing a notable slump, with Pizza Today reporting that 61% of pizza chains saw year-over-year sales declines in early 2025. This contrasts sharply with other foodservice segments, such as coffee chains, where 88% of businesses recorded sales growth.

The numbers from major pizza players tell a sobering story:

  • Domino’s Pizza: U.S. same-store sales declined 0.5% in Q1 2025
  • Pizza Hut: Same-store sales plummeted 5%
  • Papa John’s: North American comparable sales dropped 3%
  • Little Caesars: While specific figures aren’t public (being privately held), industry trends suggest they’ve also experienced sales declines

The inconvenient truth is that we’ve built an entire industry sector on the assumption that Americans will always eat more pizza every year. It’s true that consumer demand inevitably shifts, and food industries must adapt accordingly. However, an over-reliance on a single, trend-sensitive downstream product like pizza for a major cheese category warrants a critical look at diversification strategies. How much longer can we afford to let consumer whims determine our profitability? And why aren’t we more aggressively pursuing alternative markets for Mozzarella beyond pizza?

American Cheese vs. Mozzarella: The Strategic Advantage Gap Widens

Look beyond the simple production numbers, and you’ll see a strategic recalibration happening across the cheese industry that has profound implications for dairy producers. Consider these critical differences:

FactorAmerican-Style CheeseMozzarella
Q1 2025 Production1.415 billion lbs (+3.3% YoY)1.20 billion lbs (+0.2% YoY)
Primary Market DriverExport demandDomestic foodservice (pizza)
Current Market StrengthStrong and growingWeakening
Storage CharacteristicsHighly storable (60+ days)Limited storage life (21-28 days)
Price PositionCompetitive globallyLess export-oriented
Milk StandardizationHigher fat-to-protein ratioHigher protein standardization

This comparison underscores why processors shift milk component streams toward American cheese production. With better storability, stronger export demand, and less dependence on struggling foodservice channels, American-style cheeses currently offer a more stable and potentially profitable outlet for milk.

But let’s be brutally honest: many dairy producers have no idea whether their milk ends up as Cheddar, Mozzarella, or another product entirely. While some disconnection is inherent in our commodity-based system, this knowledge gap represents a strategic liability in today’s rapidly evolving market. How can you strategically position your operation when you’re blind to your milk’s ultimate destination?

Exports: No Longer Just a “Safety Valve”

If not for the extraordinary performance of U.S. cheese exports, the divergent production trends between American cheese and Mozzarella might have created severe market imbalances. U.S. Dairy Export Council data shows Q1 2025 witnessed record-breaking cheese exports, with volumes reaching 140,874 metric tons, an impressive 7.0% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The primary driver behind this export surge is U.S. cheese’s remarkable price advantage in global markets. U.S. cheese prices have been consistently lower than those of international competitors since October 2024, creating compelling opportunities for overseas buyers. If you’ve ever watched your neighbor’s heifer sale attract buyers from three states away because his prices were 15% below market, you understand the pulling power of competitive pricing.

This price gap is substantial. In March 2025, Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Cheddar prices averaged around $4,976 per metric ton (approximately $2.25 per pound), while CME spot Cheddar blocks were trading around $1.82 per pound in early May. This 20-25% price advantage has made American cheese irresistible to international buyers.

January 2025 was particularly impressive with cheese exports jumping 22% year-over-year to 46,680 metric tons, setting a January record. The geographic diversity of these exports is remarkable:

  • Japan: Cheese exports up 59% in January
  • South Korea: Shipments jumped 34%
  • Southeast Asia: Exports increased by 67%
  • Middle East/North Africa: This region showed a 93% increase in January, with Cheddar in high demand

But here’s the uncomfortable question most industry analysts won’t ask: Why are we celebrating having to sell our cheese at a 25% discount to the rest of the world? While price competitiveness is necessary for market entry and expansion, it’s reasonable to question whether this discount level reflects a structural imbalance in our production capacity versus domestic demand. Shouldn’t we be concerned that we can only move our growing production volumes by being the cheapest option on the global market?

What This Means for Your Dairy Operation

Suppose you’re still operating under the assumption that the traditional domestic cheese market will always be there to absorb your milk at favorable prices. In that case, it’s time for a serious reality check. The USDA and market data make it clear: the U.S. cheese industry is undergoing a structural transformation, not merely experiencing a temporary market fluctuation.

Here are the implications you need to confront:

Component values are changing: American-style cheeses typically use different fat-to-protein ratios than Mozzarella, potentially affecting how components are valued in your milk check. The ideal casein-to-fat ratio for American cheese is around 0.64-0.69, while Mozzarella manufacturing targets a higher protein standardization at 0.80-0.85. Are you monitoring these shifts in component premiums, or are you still feeding on maximum volume rather than optimized components?

Quality matters more than ever: With exports becoming crucial to market balance, quality standards are tightening. The Bullvine’s February export analysis highlighted how processors facing strong export demand offer incentives for milk with specific characteristics that enhance cheese yields and quality. When did you last ask your field representative about quality bonuses for lower somatic cell counts, reduced psychrotropic bacteria counts, or optimal component ratios? These factors directly impact cheese manufacturing efficiency and could translate to premium opportunities.

Regional impacts will vary dramatically: If your operation is in an area heavily invested in Mozzarella production for foodservice, you might face more pressure than those in regions with diverse cheese manufacturing. Understanding your local processing landscape has never been more critical. Knowing your soil types determines your fertilizer program, and your processor’s product mix should inform your production strategy.

Federal Order implications could be substantial: The shift toward American cheese production could influence Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing over time, as Class III utilization rates increase in some markets. Depending on your order and utilization mix, this may affect your blend price and producer price differential (PPD). Are you paying attention to these utilization shifts, or do you only notice when your milk check drops?

Why Progressive Producers Are Already Adapting

Forward-thinking dairy farmers aren’t waiting for the market to dictate their fate; they’re actively repositioning their operations to capitalize on these emerging trends. Here’s what they’re doing that perhaps you should be considering:

For those supplying plants producing American-style cheese:

  • Focusing on milk components that maximize cheese yield, particularly protein and fat levels
  • Adjusting feeding programs to optimize casein-to-fat ratios that match their processor’s needs
  • Implementing SCC reduction strategies to improve cheese quality and yield
  • Exploring quality premiums related to export-oriented production
  • Considering longer-term milk marketing contracts when processors are seeing sustained export demand

For those supplying Mozzarella-focused plants:

  • Opening discussions with processors about their market outlook and potential shifts in product mix
  • Reviewing milk quality metrics that specifically impact stretch properties for Mozzarella
  • Evaluating alternative processing options that might offer more diversified production
  • Looking for opportunities to differentiate milk based on components or quality metrics
  • Considering risk management tools to protect against potential price volatility

But perhaps the most important question is this: Do you even know which category you fall into? Too many producers remain dangerously disconnected from understanding their milk’s ultimate destination. In today’s rapidly evolving market, that’s like driving blindfolded.

The Growing Global Reality You Can’t Ignore

Even if you’ve never contemplated exporting dairy products directly, international markets increasingly determine your milk’s value. USDA and USDEC data reveal these eye-opening facts:

  • The U.S. became the world’s largest cheese exporter in 2024, shipping over 508,000 metric tons internationally
  • Cheese exports now account for approximately 8% of U.S. cheese production and are growing rapidly
  • For every 46,000 metric tons of cheese exported, approximately 1 billion pounds of milk equivalent stays in the value chain rather than depressing domestic prices

This export dependence creates both opportunities and risks. On the positive side, as the USDA’s 2025 Dairy Outlook indicates, it provides a crucial outlet for growing U.S. milk production. It helps prevent domestic oversupply, acting much like a relief valve on a milk pipeline. However, it also makes the U.S. dairy industry more vulnerable to global economic fluctuations, trade disputes, and currency movements.

Yet how many dairy producers regularly monitor international dairy markets? How many understand the impact of currency exchange rates on their milk check? How many can name the top three export destinations for U.S. cheese? The uncomfortable truth is that most producers focus purely on domestic conditions while their profitability increasingly hinges on global factors.

The Bottom Line: Time To Decide Where You Stand

The USDA’s Q1 2025 cheese production data reveals an industry at a crossroads. The era of relying purely on domestic consumption to absorb our growing milk production is over. The question is no longer whether exports matter-they clearly do-but rather how to position your operation to thrive in this new reality.

Here’s what you need to take away from these market developments:

  1. The export market is no longer optional for balancing U.S. cheese production. The substantial new online processing capacity could lead to severe price pressure without strong exports. Yet how many dairy organizations and producers still treat international markets as an afterthought rather than a strategic priority?
  2. Consumer trends can shift dramatically and have ripple effects throughout the supply chain. Pizza Today’s 2025 Trend Report demonstrates how quickly the ground can move beneath your feet. Are you monitoring these shifts or assuming today’s market conditions will persist indefinitely?
  3. Your component strategy matters more than ever. With processors increasingly shifting between cheese types based on market signals, the value of your milk’s components will fluctuate accordingly. Are you still focused on maximizing pounds of milk rather than pounds of components?
  4. New processing capacity has fundamentally altered market dynamics for years to come. USDA data confirms that the investments made in cheese plants influence milk flows and pricing structures well beyond 2025. Have you considered how these structural changes will impact your region specifically?
  5. Dairy is irrevocably global, even for producers who never export directly. International price relationships, trade policies, and consumer trends all ultimately filter down to your milk check. How much time do you spend understanding these global forces compared to local conditions?

It’s time to choose: will you be a passive participant in this market transformation, or will you actively position your operation to capitalize on these emerging trends? The dairy producers who thrive in this new era will understand how to produce milk efficiently, where that milk is going, and how global markets value it.

Ask yourself: Are you still running your dairy operation like your father or grandfather did, assuming the market will always absorb your production? Or are you adapting your strategies to reflect the reality of today’s increasingly complex and globalized dairy landscape?

The time for complacency is over. The divergence between American cheese and Mozzarella production is the latest signal that the game’s rules are changing. Those who recognize these shifts and adapt accordingly will find opportunities where others see only challenges. Your next move should be to determine exactly where your milk is going, understand how it’s being valued, and align your production strategies accordingly.

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Italian Cheeses Propel U.S. to Record 14.25B Pound Output

U.S. cheese production hit a record 14.25B lbs in 2024, driven by Italian styles like Mozzarella (+3.6%) while Cheddar fell to a 4-year low (-6.1%). Farmers adapted to milk shortages by prioritizing exports and high-component milk, reshaping dairy strategies amid EU tariff risks.

Summary:

In 2024, the U.S. achieved a record cheese production of 14.25 billion pounds, mainly due to increased demand for Italian cheeses like Mozzarella. While Cheddar production dropped to its lowest level since 2020, farmers focused on exporting and improving milk quality to boost profits. Gouda also saw significant growth due to demand in Asia, though future EU tariffs could pose challenges. As the industry adapts to changing markets and milk supplies, strategies like hedging and regional planning will be essential to sustain growth amid shifting domestic and international pressures.

Key Takeaways:

  • Record Output: U.S. cheesemakers produced 14.25B pounds (+41.76M YoY), driven by Italian styles like Mozzarella (+3.6%) and Gouda (+30.2%) despite milk shortages.
  •  Italian Cheese Surge: Italian cheeses surpassed 6B pounds (+2.4% YoY), with exports offsetting domestic foodservice declines.
  • Cheddar Decline: Cheddar fell to 3.85B pounds (-6.1%), lowest since 2020, due to scarce milk, high restaurant prices, and shifts to Gouda.
  • Price Volatility: Monthly Cheddar production drops caused spring/fall price spikes (peaking at $1.92/lb vs 5-year avg $1.68).
  • Export Risks: Gouda/Mozzarella farmers face EU tariff threats, shipping cost hikes (+22% YoY), and currency risks (Mexican peso volatility cut profits 4%).

U.S. cheese production hit a historic 14.25 billion pounds in 2024 (+41.76M YoY), powered by Italian-style cheeseslike Mozzarella while Cheddar output fell to a 4-year low. Farmers must now compete on milk components, not just volume.

Table 1: 2024 U.S. Cheese Production Trends 

Cheese TypeProduction (B lbs)YoY ChangeKey DriverSource
Italian6.00+2.4%Mozzarella exports (+3.6%)USDA Jan-Nov 2024
Cheddar3.85-6.1%Domestic demand slumpUSDA Dec 2024
Gouda0.080+30.2%Asian market expansionEU Commission Q4 2024

Italian Cheese Drives Growth 

Italian cheese crossed 6 billion pounds (+2.4% YoY) for the first time, led by: 

  • Mozzarella exports: 38% shipped to Mexico/Asia (USDA Jan- Nov 2024)
  • Component premiums: up to $0.20/cwt bonuses for high-fat milk (Dairy Farmers of America Q3 2024)
  • Jersey herds: 18% YoY growth for butterfat optimization

Why it matters: Jersey cows now yield $2.18/cwt premiums over Holsteins (USDA 2024), reshaping herd genetics. 

Table 2: Cheddar Price Volatility (2024) 

PeriodAvg Price ($/lb)Peak Price ($/lb)5-Year Avg ($/lb)
Spring1.851.921.68
Fall1.781.891.68
Source: CME Group (2/9/2025), USDA AMS

Cheddar’s Decline Reshapes Markets 

American cheese output fell 3.9%, with Cheddar plunging to 3.85B pounds (-6.1%)—lowest since 2020. Farmers faced: 

  • Processed cheese slump: Demand for slices fell 9% (CME Group 2/9/2025)
  • Milk cuts: 23% fewer Cheddar plant contracts
 Cheddar FarmersItalian/Gouda Suppliers
2025 RiskDomestic demand shiftsEU trade rule changes
OpportunityNew processing plantsAsian export growth

Table 3: U.S. Cheese Export Markets (2024) 

Region% of ExportsKey ProductGrowth vs 2023
Mexico38%Mozzarella+17%
Asia29%Gouda+25.6%
EU16%Specialty-4% (Tariff risk)
Source: USDA FAS (2024), Pecorino Romano Consortium

Gouda’s 30% Surge Faces EU Hurdles 

Gouda production jumped to 80.27M pounds (+30.2%), driven by Asian markets, but EU tariffs threaten $0.15/lbprofits (EU Commission Q4 2024). Farmers near Wisconsin (+14%) and Idaho (+9%) plants gained: 

  • Stable contracts: 64% include currency hedging
  • Regional buyers: new processors in export zones

Strategic Shifts for 2025 

  1. Test milk monthly: butterfat/protein checks for premiums (USDA §120.5)
  2. Hedge prices: Lock in 40-60% via CME futures
  3. Regional focus

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U.S. Cheese Production in April: Italian Cheese Surges, American Cheese Declines

Dive into April’s U.S. cheese production trends. Curious about the rise of Italian cheese and the decline of American cheese? Uncover the compelling data and regional details.

April presented a mixed landscape for U.S. cheese production, with both promising gains and notable declines. According to the USDA, total cheese output, excluding cottage cheese, reached 1.19 billion pounds, up 1.8% year-over-year but down 3% from March. Italian-type cheese production rose by 6.2% from last year to 504 million pounds, though it fell 2.8% from March. On the other hand, American cheese production declined by 4.7% year-over-year and 4.3% from March, totaling 468 million pounds. 

“The mixed trends in U.S. cheese production signal both resilience and challenges within the industry,” the USDA report suggests.

CategoryProduction (Million Pounds)Year-Over-Year ChangeMonth-Over-Month Change
Total Cheese (excluding cottage)1,190+1.8%-3.0%
Italian-Type Cheese504+6.2%-2.8%
American Cheese468-4.7%-4.3%
Butter208+5.3%-1.0%
Nonfat Dry Milk173-12.7%
Skim Milk Powder36.3-20.8%
Dry Whey+2.1%
Lactose-1.5%
Whey Protein Concentrate-6.1%
Hard Ice Cream64.7 million gallons+7.3%

Mixed Signals in April U.S. Cheese Production Reflecting Varied Trends 

According to the USDA data, total cheese output, excluding cottage cheese, reached 1.19 billion pounds in April. This marks a 1.8% increase compared to the same period last year but shows a 3% decrease from March. The production dynamics underscore a mixed trend in U.S. cheese production for the month, reflecting both year-over-year growth and month-over-month decline.

Italian Cheeses Shine Year-Over-Year Despite Monthly Dip

Italian-type cheese production showcased a remarkable upturn, reflecting a year-over-year surge of 6.2%, culminating at 504 million pounds. Despite this annual growth, the month-over-month comparison revealed a marginal dip of 2.8% from March. This duality underscores both the strong demand for Italian cheeses over the year and the seasonal or market-driven fluctuations that influence monthly production volumes.

American Cheese Production Faces Significant Challenges in April

Amid the intricate landscape of U.S. cheese production, American cheese has faced a particularly challenging month. Specifically, April witnessed a decline in American cheese output, both when compared year-over-year and month-over-month. Production fell by 4.7% from April last year, resulting in a total output of 468 million pounds. The month-over-month comparison is similarly bleak, with a 4.3% decrease from March, accentuating the downward trend in this particular cheese category. This dual decline highlights ongoing shifts within the industry, signaling potential adjustments in consumer demand and production focus.

Butter Production Sees Minor Monthly Dip Amidst Impressive Annual Growth 

Butter production trends exhibited a complex pattern, reflecting the overarching variability in the dairy sector. While there was a minor decline of just over 1% in butter output compared to March, the sector demonstrated resilience with a notable 5.3% increase compared to the same period last year. This duality in trends is indicative of broader market dynamics and seasonal production adjustments. In total, April’s butter production reached 208 million pounds, underscoring both the short-term and long-term shifts in the dairy landscape.

Sharp Declines in Dry Dairy Products Highlight April’s Downturn

Dry dairy products presented a downward trend in April, with significant declines observed in both nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder production. Nonfat dry milk saw a steep reduction, recording a 12.7% drop to reach a total of 173 million pounds. Skim milk powder production experienced an even sharper decline of 20.8%, culminating in a total output of 36.3 million pounds compared to the same period last year.

Contrasting Fortunes Within Dry Dairy Production Reflect April’s Complex Landscape 

Nevertheless, not all dry dairy products shared the same fate. Dry whey production, for instance, edged up by 2.1%, offering a glimmer of optimism amidst broader declines in the sector. Specifically, dry whey output reached notable levels, counteracting the overarching downtrend. Conversely, lactose production did not fare as well, registering a 1.5% decline. Even more striking was the significant 6.1% decrease in whey protein concentrate production. Collectively, these figures underscore the mixed results within the dry dairy product landscape, highlighting areas of both growth and notable declines.

Unprecedented Fluctuations in Frozen Dairy Production: Hard Ice Cream Surges While Other Categories Slide

Frozen dairy product output varied significantly in April, illustrating a mixture of trends within the industry. The production of hard ice cream notably climbed by an impressive 7.3%, reaching 64.7 million gallons. This increase stands in stark contrast to the declines observed in other frozen dairy categories. The production of low-fat ice cream, sherbet, and frozen yogurt all experienced downturns, highlighting the sector’s fluctuations and the diverse consumer preferences shaping production dynamics.

Regional Production Trends: Wisconsin’s Cheddar Supremacy and California’s Mozzarella Dominance

In examining regional production trends, the data reveals that Wisconsin continues to dominate the Cheddar cheese market, producing an impressive 60.38 million pounds in April. California follows, contributing 21.29 million pounds to the nation’s Cheddar cheese supply. 

Turning attention to Mozzarella, California leads with a substantial output of 134.14 million pounds, while Wisconsin is not far behind, generating 93.13 million pounds. This makes California the unrivaled leader in Mozzarella production, though Wisconsin’s figures are commendable. 

When looking at overall cheese production, Wisconsin emerges as the top-producing state with an aggregate output of 281.48 million pounds. California comes in second, followed closely by Idaho and New Mexico. These states collectively form the backbone of the U.S. cheese manufacturing industry, each playing a crucial role in meeting domestic and international demand.

The Bottom Line

April’s cheese production data from the USDA paints a complex picture of the dairy industry, characterized by both advancements and setbacks. Italian-type cheeses exhibited impressive year-over-year growth, driven by a notable 6.2% increase, even as they faced a slight month-over-month decrease. In stark contrast, American cheese suffered significant declines both annually and monthly, highlighting underlying production challenges. 

The broader dairy landscape reflected similar dualities. Butter production experienced a modest monthly dip but demonstrated robust annual growth. The production of dry dairy products such as nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder saw sharp drops, whereas dry whey managed a slight increase. 

Frozen dairy products also showed variability, with hard ice cream production surging, while other categories like low-fat ice cream and frozen yogurt declined. Regionally, Wisconsin and California continued to dominate specific cheese categories, underscoring their pivotal roles in national dairy production

Overall, these intricate trends underscore the multifaceted nature of the U.S. dairy industry, highlighting areas of growth and the need for strategic adjustments in response to declining segments.

Key Takeaways:

  • Total cheese production in April saw a slight year-over-year increase of 1.8%, despite a 3% drop from March.
  • Italian-type cheese production rose by 6.2% year-over-year but decreased by 2.8% from the previous month.
  • American cheese production experienced declines both year-over-year and month-over-month, down by 4.7% and 4.3% respectively.
  • Butter production was up by 5.3% compared to April of last year, although it saw a minor decline from March.
  • Dry dairy products faced significant declines: nonfat dry milk dropped by 12.7% and skim milk powder by 20.8% year-over-year.
  • Dry whey production slightly increased by 2.1%, while lactose and whey protein concentrate production declined by 1.5% and 6.1% respectively.
  • Hard ice cream production surged by 7.3%, but low-fat ice cream, sherbet, and frozen yogurt production all decreased.
  • Wisconsin led in Cheddar cheese production, contributing 60.38 million pounds, whereas California was the top producer of Mozzarella with 134.14 million pounds.

Summary: In April, U.S. cheese production experienced a mixed landscape, with both positive and negative trends. The USDA reported a total cheese output of 1.19 billion pounds, up 1.8% year-over-year but down 3% from March. Italian-type cheese production rose by 6.2% to 504 million pounds, while American cheese production declined by 4.7% year-over-year and 4.3% from March, totaling 468 million pounds. This dual decline highlights ongoing shifts within the industry, signaling potential adjustments in consumer demand and production focus. Butter production saw a minor monthly dip, while dry dairy products showed a downward trend, with significant declines observed in nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder production. Dry whey production edged up by 2.1%, but lactose production and whey protein concentrate production also saw a decline. Frozen dairy product output varied significantly, with hard ice cream production climbing by 7.3% to reach 64.7 million gallons. Wisconsin continues to dominate the Cheddar cheese market, producing an impressive 60.38 million pounds in April.

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