USA – Preliminary figures released by the California Department of Food (CDFA) have indicated that 2002 was a record year for the state’s dairy industry.

Milk production rose 5% on 2001 to reached 15.8 billion litres – the fourth year that milk production has exceeded the 13.6 million litre mark. California’s share of national milk production also rose from 20.1% in 2001 to 20.55% in 2002.

Cheese production was up in 4.9% in 2002 on 2001. Nearly half of the state’s milk goes to cheese production. Mozzarella remains California’s largest category but production in 2002 dropped 4% on 2001 to 316 million litres. Cheddar production rose 4.6% to 267 million kilograms while Hispanic cheese production rose 11.4% to over 35 million kilograms.