12/22/06 Dairy export expansion

2005 was a record year for American dairy exports and it looks like this year will be even better. Today you'll find US cheese for sale in Mexico or US whey protein used by a Chinese food manufacturer. Thanks in part to the work of USDEC, the US Dairy Export Council, the export of American dairy products and ingredients have more than doubled over the past decade. USDEC president Tom Suber says 2006 was another growth year. SUBER ""Through eight months, US exports have been on their way to a fourth straight record year, our milk powder exports are about to pass last year's record level, our whey proteins are at a record level, our cheese exports are up substantially." USDEC spokeswoman Margaret Speich says demand in Asia, particularly China, is driving the growing export market, mostly in dry ingredients like whey proteins, lactose and skim milk powder. SPEICH "95 percent of our exports last year were commercial sales. We're talking some very viable business opportunities, viable business sales." More than 60 percent of USDEC's work is funded by dairy producers in Idaho and across the nation through their checkoff in addition to money that comes from the US Department of Agriculture. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott