Strong Trade Agreements Boost U.S. Dairy on Global Stage
The U.S. dairy industry celebrated a milestone year in 2024, with cheese exports surpassing previous records to reach 508,808 metric tons, equivalent to over a billion pounds. This achievement underscores the important role of trade agreements in bolstering the U.S. position in global dairy markets.
Significant growth was also noted across other dairy products, including butterfat and dry whey, despite challenges posed by international trade tensions, particularly with China. Nevertheless, the dairy sector managed to achieve its second-highest sales record.
Trade policies, such as the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), have been instrumental in reducing tariffs and opening up new markets for U.S. dairy products. This has enabled the U.S. to maintain a competitive edge even as countries like New Zealand vie for market share in emerging economies.
The National Milk Producers Federation, in collaboration with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, continues to explore new markets and advocate for favorable trade conditions.
Efforts to lower tariffs in strategic markets have already yielded positive results, with recent successes in reducing dairy tariffs in countries like the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
As the global demand for dairy continues to grow, the U.S. is well-positioned to meet these needs through enhanced processing capacity and proactive trade strategies.
These efforts ensure that the future of U.S. dairy not only depends on trade but thrives on it, securing a prosperous outlook for American farmers and the dairy industry at large.