Tag: dairy exports

El Salvador and Guatemala Agreements Strengthen Protections for U.S. Dairy Exports

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names welcomed the United States’ signing of reciprocal trade agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala this week, underscoring the importance of reinforcing long-standing market access gains for U.S. dairy exporters and preventing the emergence of new trade barriers.

As outlined in the agreements, El Salvador and Guatemala have both committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products, including dairy. These obligations include recognition of U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities, a prohibition on introducing a facility registration requirement for U.S. dairy products, and streamlining of product registration requirements, which are critical elements for ensuring predictable and fair market access for all U.S. dairy exports.

The two countries have also committed to ensuring that market access for U.S. agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the use of certain cheese and meat terms. These include 38 widely used dairy terms such as parmesan, gruyere, feta, and asiago, as well as 10 meat terms. This commitment provides important certainty for common name producers and exporters.

“Securing durable market access and setting clear expectations with trading partners is essential for U.S. agriculture,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “This agreement builds on the success of CAFTA-DR and we thank the administration for fighting for the right of U.S. dairy exporters to compete fairly in the Salvadoran and Guatemalan market.”

U.S. dairy exports already benefit from duty-free treatment in El Salvador and Guatemala as a result of the Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Tariffs on U.S. dairy products phased out entirely this past year, following direct advocacy from USDEC and NMPF over a decade ago to secure full market access under the agreement.

“For dairy farmers, these agreements help to keep doors open to U.S. products,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “By protecting hard-won access and preventing new barriers from taking hold, the agreements support demand for U.S. milk and dairy products and strengthen the economic outlook for farm families across the country.”

“As European authorities increasingly seek to confiscate common food names across Latin America, the agreements unequivocally protect 38 common cheese names and 10 generic meat terms and send a clear signal by preserving our producers’ right to label their products with terms that have been used for generations in El Salvador and Guatemala,” said Jaime Castaneda, executive director of CCFN.

NMPF, USDEC and CCFN will continue working closely with USTR and U.S. government partners to monitor implementation of the agreement and to ensure that El Salvador and Guatemala fully meet their commitments to maintaining open and predictable access for U.S. dairy products and common name foods and beverages.

NMPF’s Castaneda on Continued Tariff-Free Access to Colombia

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomed the government of Colombia’s dismissal of a Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation into milk powder imports from the U.S. The investigation began in 2024 and alleged, without a factual basis, that U.S. milk powders were unfairly subsidized and harmed Colombian dairy producers. NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda, vice president for policy development and strategy, said that’s never been the case.

2025 NEXT-Assisted Export Sales Surpass 141.5 Million Pounds

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT member cooperatives secured 66 contracts in December, adding 24.2 million pounds of product to NEXT-assisted sales in 2025, capping off an impressive inaugural year. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, North America, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America and will be shipped from December 2025 through May 2026.

NEXT-assisted 2025 dairy product sales totaled over 141.5 million pounds on product volume basis. Product destinations include Asia, Oceania, Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Middle East-North Africa, Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America.

Exporting dairy products is critical to the viability of dairy farmers and their cooperatives across the country. Whether or not a cooperative is actively engaged in exporting cheese, butter, anhydrous milkfat, cream cheese, or whole milk powder, moving products into world markets is essential. NEXT provides a means to move domestic dairy products to overseas markets by helping to overcome U.S. dairy’s trade disadvantages.

The amounts of dairy products reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. NEXT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

NMPF’s Bjerga on What’s Next for Whole Milk

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses what comes next for whole milk in schools in an interview with WEKZ Radio in Janesville, WI. Passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in Congress will bring whole milk to the next generation of milk-drinkers and ultimately boost dairy prices, but in the meantime logistical and regulatory issues will need to be sorted out. Meanwhile, farmers may see a DMC payment in December as prices decline due to supply issues, and a bright outlook for trade is being boosted further with Senate confirmation of a new chief agricultural trade negotiator.  Bjerga also explains why people are freezing their eggnog for use later in the year, and why horses ate better than humans for much of the 20th century.

NEXT Holds First Meeting as Monthly Assisted Export Sales Top 15 Million Pounds

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT held its inaugural meeting last month to establish expectations, provide an in-depth report on program operations and identify steps to keep the program nimble and responsive to market conditions as the program itself saw another successful period of boosting U.S. dairy exports.

NEXT member cooperatives secured 107 contracts in November, adding 15.4 million pounds of product in NEXT-assisted sales in 2025. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa and South America and will be shipped from November through February.

The sales mark another month of progress for NEXT, which has seen strong results out of the starting gate in the second half of the year.

NEXT (NMPF Export & Trade), which provides a means to move domestic dairy products to overseas markets by helping to overcome U.S. dairy’s trade disadvantages, was launched at NMPF’s June board meeting. November’s Joint Annual Meeting provided an opportunity for NEXT members to meet on their own on Nov. 9.

Meanwhile, the NMPF board at its meeting approved a Strategic Advisory Group for NEXT, to shape the program by providing direction on programmatic initiatives and enhancements. Members of the group consist of representatives from participating cooperatives as well as two non-voting advisory positions. Michigan farmer and chair of Michigan Milk Producers Association, Doug Chapin, will serve as the NEXT Strategic Advisory Group chair with NMPF’s Will Loux serving as the program’s first executive director.

The advisory group will reconvene in January, as participants look to build upon the program’s initial success. Anyone interested in participating in NEXT should contact Will Loux at wloux@nmpf.org.

Rollins Touts Milk Action Plan at Annual Meeting

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

ARLINGTON, TX – Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers today at NMPF’s annual meeting.   

“I want to be very clear. We will never stop fighting for those of you in the dairy industry and across rural America we have reached that golden age for our producers,” said Rollins, a Texas native who keynoted the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. “Dairy farmers have delivered for America for 250 years, and now it’s time for us to deliver for you.” 

Rollins spoke to roughly 750 farmers, cooperative leaders and industry professionals gathered to discuss industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to dairy labor challenges. NMPF, the largest U.S. dairy farmer group, is holding a series of discussions on policy issues throughout the meeting, ranging from the need to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to creating lasting labor solutions for U.S. dairy farmers.  

In her remarks, Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, outlining the administration’s four-point approach to support the industry, including:  

  • Incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January;  
  • Working to drive down input costs;
  • Facilitating investments in American milk processing; and
  • Expanding markets to help milk producers prosper.     

Rollins also noted the importance of farm-labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.  

Rollins became the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture earlier this year after serving as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.   

Rollins’s remarks kicked off a busy day at the conference, with remarks from immediate past NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, newly elected NMPF Chairman Brian Rexing, and NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud as well as a luncheon featuring awards from the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program and NMPF communications.  

A reception sampling top-performing cheeses from NMPF’s annual cheese contest is this evening.  

NMPF’s Morris on U.S. Dairy Trade Wins

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

NMPF’s Executive Vice President of Trade Policy and Global Affairs Shawna Morris said the federation is thrilled with the announcement from the Trump administration of new trade agreements in Southeast Asia. The agreements were with Malaysia and Cambodia, and new trade agreement frameworks are in place with Thailand and Vietnam.

NMPF Identifies Dairy Trade Barriers for U.S. Government

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF and USDEC filed extensive comments Oct. 30 as part of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) request for global trade barriers for its 2026 National Trade Estimate report.

The list of issues compiled by NMPF and USDEC highlight dairy trade irritants in 34 different markets, including regional blocs like the European Union and parties to the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement.

Several key issues that the organizations cite include Canada’s refusal to comply with its dairy commitments under USMCA, dairy facility registration challenges across various markets, and the European Union’s long list of trade-distorting measures ranging from certification requirements to the abuse of geographical indications to monopolize common names like “parmesan.”

Supplementing NMPF’s engagement with USTR as cleared confidential advisors, the comments serve as a key resource for the U.S. government as it engages in negotiations with trading partners. The 2025 National Trade Estimate report has served as a guide for crafting the Trump Administration’s reciprocal trade plan. It also offers details on priority dairy markets and products as the U.S. government seeks to resolve barriers to dairy trade and expand market access opportunities.

NEXT-Assisted Export Sales Near 24 Million Pounds as September Winds Down

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT member cooperatives secured 60 contracts in September, with one week still outstanding for the month; full-month data will be available later this week. These contracts added 23.9 million pounds of product in NEXT-assisted sales in 2025. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and South America and will be shipped from September 2025 through May 2026.

Exporting dairy products is critical to the viability of dairy farmers and their cooperatives across the country. Whether or not a cooperative is actively engaged in exporting, moving products into world markets is essential. NEXT provides a means to move domestic dairy products to overseas markets by helping to overcome U.S. dairy’s trade disadvantages.

The referenced amounts of dairy products reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. NEXT will pay export assistance to bidders only when export and delivery of product is verified by submission of required documentation.

U.S.-Taiwan Dairy Partnership Advances Shared Growth

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Dairy Association of Taiwan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today in a milestone step to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwanese dairy sectors.

The MOU underscores the importance of facilitating trade, defending the image of dairy, supporting dairy farming, and deepening cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan on dairy benefits and trade.

Together, the organizations will explore opportunities to strengthen commercial ties, encourage dialogue between both dairy sectors, including producers, industry leaders and policymakers, and promote the role of dairy in supporting healthy diets.

“The partnership is an important development for U.S. dairy producers,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Taiwan is a growing market, and this agreement ensures that U.S. dairy is well-positioned to meet demand for high-quality dairy products in the region. The memorandum reflects our industry’s efforts deliver real value back to the U.S. dairy community through exports.”

“This agreement is a significant step toward expanding the presence of U.S. dairy in Taiwan, one of the most dynamic markets in Asia,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “By strengthening ties between our dairy sectors, we are creating new avenues for growth and innovation. Together, we will highlight the strengths of dairy while building long-term opportunities that benefit both Taiwanese and American consumers and producers.”

Signed during a USDA-led trade mission to Taipei, the agreement builds on NMPF and USDEC’s network of allies around the world that helps advance a sustainable and prosperous future for the industry.