In a near-reversal of usual domestic consumption patterns, U.S. fluid milk sales during the first four months of this year were up by almost 100 million pounds over a year ago, or 0.7 percent on a leap year adjusted basis, while domestic consumption of most other major dairy products was lower, except for yogurt and non-American types of cheese.
The United States exported 8.7 percent of its total cheese production during February-April, an all-time high for this measure over a three-month period, or even for a single month.
April U.S. milk production was 0.4 percent below April 2023 production, the tenth consecutive month of below year-ago milk production, on a leap year-adjusted basis. Rapid increases in the price of cheese during May largely powered a $3.05/cwt jump in the May Class III price from the month before.
All subsequent references to percentage or actual changes in quantities over periods that include this February are adjusted for the leap year.
Source: National Milk Producers Federation