Tag: dairy trade policy

U.S. Dairy Breaks Exports Record for Third Straight Year

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

U.S. dairy exports set new records in 2022, helped along by work from NMPF in collaboration with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), policymakers and stakeholders who delivered on targeted policy priorities.

More than $9 billion of U.S. dairy products reached international customers in 2022, according to data finalized in February. The volume shipped accounted for 18% of total milk production. This marked the third straight record year for volume and the second for value.

In a year full of challenges, NMPF was proud to work with members and policymakers to find solutions to support dairy exporter, including:

  • Successfully pursuing solutions to the supply chain crisis, most notably on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
  • Defending U.S. dairy’s market access rights against barriers to trade in markets around the world including in Europe, Latin America, Canada, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
  • Strengthening and expanding key partnerships to grow the global dairy industry’s influence with governments and organizations around the world.

NMPF Outlines Export Market Priorities to USTR

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Oct. 28 in response to the agency’s request for more information on foreign obstacles to trade and investment for its annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) report.

Over the last several years, the U.S. dairy industry has been put at a disadvantage by a lack of ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations and uneven enforcement of existing agreements. This inaction especially hurts American producers at a time when global demand for dairy products is rising. Given the great importance of exports to the success of the industry, NMPF called for the Administration to negotiate new FTAs and otherwise expand market access for U.S. exporters.

The comments also summarized country-specific barriers that governments around the world are implementing to impede U.S. dairy exports. Those measures include traditional tariffs, the misuse of geographical indications and overly burdensome health and safety regulations that target dairy products. In total, the comments outline trade issues with 37 countries or regions, as well as concerns related to Codex, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization issues.

Through its work with industry partners, NMPF will continue to encourage Congress and the Biden Administration to stand up for U.S. dairy and negotiate trade deals that support American dairy farmers.