The United States exports approximately $8 billion in dairy products to 145 countries around the world every year, which amounts to approximately one day’s worth of U.S. milk production each week. In fact, recent estimates indicate that the U.S. now exports more dairy on a fluid milk basis than we consume. These figures are increasing year after year meaning that trade has never been more important to the future of U.S. dairy than it is now.

Within that context, IDFA recently submitted comments on the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, which details U.S. concerns with foreign barriers to trade for Congress annually. This year, IDFA’s submission included a range of concerns, including new barriers related to provisional tariffs on U.S. milk powder exports to Colombia and long-standing trade concerns such as Canada’s milk class policies. 

“IDFA appreciates the U.S. government’s efforts annually to report on trade barriers through its NTE Report, which is a unique and significant resource to U.S. dairy exporters as well as congressional and federal offices seeking to understand dairy trade priorities,” said Becky Rasdall, senior vice president for trade and workforce policy for IDFA. “The U.S. dairy sector needs a proactive trade agenda to expand access to global markets and remain competitive. Tools like the NTE, which evaluate the barriers facing exporters in existing markets, are also important for this growth.”