Krysta Harden, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) President and CEO, said at USDEC’s Spring Board of Directors meeting that they have been there every step of the way. She pointed out that in 2022 alone, USDEC staff traveled a combined 2.6 million air miles—the equivalent of five round-trip visits to the moon—for a broad array of activities aimed at building demand for U.S. exports and facilitating trade flows.
“The message to our dairy customers around the world is that we will consistently meet their needs now and as their demand grows in the future,” Harden stated as she emphasized that U.S. dairy has much to offer the world.
“I believe it’s our responsibility to help nourish others when we have so much,” she said. “People can get calories. This is about the nourishment that comes from dairy and dairy products.”
In 2022, the United States set new records, growing exports considerably, just shattering the $9.6 billion mark. That tallies to 18% of U.S. milk production last year — an all-time high.
What’s in store for 2023?
Despite headwind challenges, like the ‘wild card’ of China, Harden remains positive, saying, “We might not grow as much as we have been growing, but we’re hoping for a little bit more.”
However, a panel at the meeting shared that with a weaker price environment, an improved EU dairy economy, and uncertain Chinese demand, the 2023 global dairy market outlook will be a challenging one.
William Loux, USDEC vice president of global economic affairs, said that except for COVID, this year will be the most challenging from an economic growth perspective since the 2008-09 global financial crisis.
In the face of challenges confronting the economy, USDEC economists say that solid demand for U.S. dairy ingredients in key growth markets, like nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder in Mexico and high-value whey in Japan, will help lift U.S. export volume by 1.5% this year.
Future U.S. dairy exports remain favorable with a rising global population, growing middle class and the need for sustainable, affordable nutrition.
“The long-term outlook for U.S. dairy exports is extremely bright,” Harden says. “We are poised for continued growth.”
