Home > News > Dairy Exports on Pace to Set New Record in 2021

Dairy cow alone in pasture looking at cameraWhile most of ag has faced unprecedented challenges with supply chain uncertainty since the onset of COVID-19, dairy demand has not waivered, domestically or abroad. In fact, dairy exports are forecasted set new records before the end of 2021. Exports remain strong with estimates that a day’s worth of U.S. milk production (approximately $6.5 billion worth) each week goes to 133 countries. China remains the top buyer and is the largest driver to the near record-breaking dairy exports so far in 2021. What’s sustained the heightened demand? The U.S. Dairy Export Council says it is partly as a result of the Chinese government making it a point during the pandemic to communicate the health benefits of dairy.

Despite the healthy exports, dairy has not stayed immune to supply chain struggles. Shipments from the West Coast remain a major hurdle and hikes up the costs for exporters, ultimately impacting dairy farmers. However, a bright spot is the ¼ decline in shipping container costs seen last month, the largest decline in two years. Read more on dairy exports here.

Subscribe

Be among the first to learn about the ever-changing crop insurance industry by subscribing to the ProAgMessaging system.