The U.S. Dairy Export Council says tariff tensions weighed on May exports despite a rise in values. U.S. dairy shipments dipped nearly two percent while values increased 13 percent to $803 million.

The Council says demand from China has dropped to levels not seen in 15 years. Good U.S. prices have boosted overall sales to Canada by six percent.

U.S. cheese exports set a record for volume for any single month and are up seven percent year over year. Increases were limited as shipments to Mexico were down 12 percent on the month, and China’s demand fell by more than 80 percent.

Total butterfat export sales are still on a record pace for the year, with volumes up more than 150 percent compared to last year. Exports to Mexico climbed more than 30 percent in May.

Nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder exports were up two percent for the month despite a nearly 80 percent decline from China.

Low-protein whey shipments dropped 25 percent, with shipments to China down 70 percent.

Source: US Dairy Export Council