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Growing exports boost Minnesota’s cheese industry

Minnesota is making strides as a leading producer of cheese.

State Senator Rob Kupec says U.S. export potential bodes well for the nation’s sixth-largest cheese producer.

“Cheese is becoming a potentially large export product for the United States, and henceforth the state of Minnesota. Because a lot of the milk we produce in Minnesota goes into making cheese.”

Kupec expects Minnesota to close the gap with the largest cheese producer, Wisconsin.

“Absolutely. I think we get overlooked a lot, but we manufacture a lot of cheese and it is a potentially growing export market.”

Minnesota cheese production rose more than 5 percent in 2025 totaling 72.5 million pounds.

*Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network*