U.S. dairy export growth stalls amid broader agricultural export surge

U.S. dairy exports fell 5% year‑over‑year in June, ending the first monthly decline since September 2025. While overall milk‑solid equivalent shipments dropped, cheese volumes rose 24% and butterfat exports jumped 48%, driven by record shipments to Mexico and growing demand in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. Milk powder, lactose and whey exports declined, limiting the total export volume.

Agricultural leaders credit market diversification for record U.S. corn, ethanol and sorghum exports. Mark Wilson, former chair of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council, and CEO Ryan LeGrand highlighted the council’s work in over 70 countries and recent congressional funding boosts to the Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs as key drivers of the export surge.

The combined data underscore a shift in U.S. farm export strategy, with strong performance in traditional dairy products alongside expanding grain and bio‑fuel markets worldwide.