Dairy Checkoff works to promote consumption and sales domestically and around the world. Given the 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside the United States, exports are vital to the strength and continued growth of the dairy industry. In fact, the work in export markets is complementary to efforts to grow domestic sales for dairy.
Dairy checkoff’s strategy helped grow global export volume to 16.5 percent of total production in 2023 — up from just five percent in 2002. Today, one in six milk tankers goes to exports.
This work is led by the U.S. Dairy Export Council, also known as USDEC, which was founded in 1995 by dairy farmers. The Dairy Export Council is largely funded by the dairy checkoff, but also receives membership dues from co-ops, processors, and other allied industry companies. Organizations that choose to be USDEC members understand the value in having a resource to monitor the regulatory climate, identify changing import requirements, and promote the use of U.S. dairy around the world.
Dairy checkoff’s partnership strategy with national restaurant chains, including McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Domino’s, has global appeal too. Dairy Checkoff works with partners at home to expand U.S. dairy consumption abroad, bringing delicious, dairy-centric items to menus worldwide.
Below you’ll find additional resources that highlight Checkoff’s work in exports.
Blog Post from DMI Chair and Dairy Farmer Marilyn Hershey
In Marilyn’s blog, she highlights the value of dairy checkoff’s role in exports and recent innovations from the U.S. Dairy Export Council, including the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence in Singapore, which serves as a new hub to test ideas to explore incorporating U.S. dairy in regionally tailored foods.
Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast Episodes Highlight Opportunities for Exports
Episode 28: What is in Store for Dairy Exports in 2024?
How did U.S. dairy exports affect the market in 2023 and what does the future hold for dairy exports in 2024 and beyond? What is the checkoff doing globally to help promote and grow international consumer trust in U.S. dairy?
Listen as Minnesota dairy farmer and Farmer Relations Committee Chair Charles Krause discusses U.S. dairy exports with William Loux, Vice President, Global Economics Affairs at U.S. Dairy Export Council, and Vikki Nicholson-West, Senior Vice President Global Ingredients Marketing and Executive Director USDEC Singapore Ltd at US Dairy Export Council. Vikki and Will bring to light the importance of the international market and how partnerships and collaboration facilitate the US Dairy Export Council’s mission. Learn why global relationships between partners, co-ops, processors, and checkoff are the bedrock of a successful dairy export strategy.
Episode 29: What Did Famers Want to Know About Dairy Exports at the Joint Annual Meeting?
What trends are we seeing with dairy products developed for exports? Does unique branding and logos for dairy products make a difference in the exports market? Can you tell us more about the new Singapore Dairy Center of Excellence?
These were a few of the questions dairy farmers asked during the 2023 Joint Annual Meeting. On this podcast, William Loux, Vice President, Global Economics Affairs at U.S. Dairy Export Council, and Vikki Nicholson-West, Senior Vice President Global Ingredients Marketing and Executive Director USDEC Singapore Ltd at US Dairy Export Council answered these questions and more.