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Dairy shipments down in 2024, slight gains in value

The U.S. Dairy Export Council says total export volumes for 2024 were down nearly a half a percent while values gained two percent on the year.

Shipments of cheese were up 17 percent on the year and hit a shipping record high of more than a half a million metric tons. The export council says good pricing and increased demand in most regions fueled the rise. Mexico increased cheese shipments nearly 30 percent in December.

Nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder exports dropped eight percent on the year with December exports hitting a five year low because of weaker production and reduced sales to Southeast Asia. Economists also point to a 14 percent reduction in production as a factor.

Total butterfat export sales for the year were up 28 percent, supported by a 45 percent jump in December with strong demand from Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.

December U.S. dairy shipments were down nearly two percent while values jumped 11 percent to the second highest price for the month.