Record exports as markets recover

Economic recovery in overseas markets has led to record growth in export levels, according to figures released by the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the Australian Dairy Corporation (ADC).
US exporters moved almost 21,773 tonnes of cheese overseas in the first six months of 2000, up 24% on last year. The biggest gains were seen in shipments to Canada, up 82%, and Mexico, up 68%. Australia’s cheese exports, meanwhile, rose 29% to 221,896 tonnes.
Greater use of whey fuelled a 45% increase in US exports, with sizable volume gains realised in South East Asia, China, Mexico and Brazil. Meanwhile, the world’s largest lactose buyer, Japan, boosted imports from the USA by 22%, leading to an overall increase of 17% in lactose shipments.
US exports of skimmed milk powder rose 36%, milk and cream shipments rose 7%, while ice cream and yogurt increased 3% and 12% respectively.
Exports of butter and butteroil shot up nearly threefold, strengthened by large purchases of butter- oil by Mexico. Australian exports of whole milk powder reached 169,000 tonnes, an increase of 22% over the previous year, and butter exports rose 20% to 125,268 tonnes. Indications for 2001 also look positive.