As the world's largest cheese producer, the U.S. dairy industry produces more whey proteins than the U.S. market can consume.
"In fact, the U.S. domestic market produces 50% more whey than we use in the United States," says Matt McKnight, vice president of export ingredients for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. "Building demand for whey in international markets is important, because it keeps this excess from depressing the U.S. market and helps U.S. dairy producers grow their business."
U.S. whey exports rose 35% from January through October 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. "Tight worldwide protein markets and robust world demand, along with producer-funded export development programs implemented by USDEC, have resulted in strong exports of U.S. whey," McKnight says.
Through USDEC, funded in part by the dairy checkoff program to develop and build markets internationally, America's dairy producers are helping build demand through dairy ingredient application seminars, trade missions and other activities around the world.