News

Cheese production up 2.6% in May

Total cheese production in the United States in May was 860.7 million pounds, up 2.6% from May of last year. The National Ag Statistics Service report says total American cheese production in the U.S. in May 366.3 million pounds, a 4.2% increase over May, 2008. Total Italian cheese production in the country 349.2 million pounds, a .3% increase over a year ago.

Wisconsin total cheese production in May was 218.1 million pounds, up 3.2% from a year ago. American production in the Badger State was 73 million pounds, a 1% increase, and Cheddar output slipped .8% to 56.7 million pounds in May. Italian cheese production increased 3.1% in the state to 100 million pounds.

California produced a total of 175.29 million pounds of cheese in May, down 2.6% from May of last year. The Golden State saw American cheese production increase 1.2% to 58.6 million pounds, Cheddar output 2.8% higher, 34 million pounds while Italian output slipped 2.9% to 99.2 million pounds.

Rounding out the top five cheese states, Idaho, 68.3 million pounds up 1.8%, New York, 59.8 million pounds up 8.4% and Minnesota, 57.45 million pounds up 3.8% from last May.

Total butter production in the U.S. in May was 139.39 million pounds, down .3% from a year ago. California churned out 43 million pounds, down 10.7% from last May while production increased 9.7% in Wisconsin to 30.1 million pounds.

Compared to a year ago, May production of:
Nonfat dry milk, 149 million pounds, up 13.3%
Skim milk powder, 26.7 million pounds, down 41.3%
Dry whey, 95.3 million pounds, down 3.8%
Lactose, 60 million pounds, down 8.5%
Whey protein concentrate, 34 million pounds, down 8.3%
Regular ice cream, 80.8 million gallons, down .4%
Lowfat ice cream, 36.3 million gallons, down 3.4%
Sherbet, 5 million gallons, down 6.9%
Frozen yogurt, 6 million gallons, don 20.2%