US dairy imports drop in 2025

US dairy imports during 2025 were valued at $4.8 billion (€4.07bn), down 10% from 2024’s record import value of $5.37 billion, according to figures released by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and reported in the Cheese Reporter (cheesereporter.com). Prior to last year, dairy imports had increased in value every year since 2018, when they were valued at $2.8 billion.

The leading sources of US dairy imports in 2025, on a value basis, with comparisons to 2024, were New Zealand, at $720 million, which was down 6% while Ireland saw a drop to $545.5 million, down 39%. Italy, also saw a fall by 22% to $442.4 million, as did the Netherlands at $254.8 million, down 11%. Meanwhile, France had $449 million in exports to the US, up by 13%, and Denmark at $227.5 million, increased by 22%. Canada, with $432.8 million, increased by 4% as well. This was similar to Mexico at $325.4 million, with its increase of 3%.

US cheese imports last year totalled 420.8 million pounds, down 11% from 2024 and their lowest level since 414.5 million pounds in 2022. Cheese imports had reached a record high of 475 million pounds back in 2002, Cheese Reporter notes. The value of last year’s cheese imports, $1.64 billion, was down 15% from 2024.