U.S. Dairy Exports Hit Three-Year High in 2025

Cheese and butter lead the way as U.S. dairy industry expands global reach

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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U.S. dairy export volume and value rose to their highest levels in three years in 2025, driven by vibrant cheese demand outside the U.S., surging interest in protein, and favorable U.S. commodity pricing. Cheese, butterfat, and high-protein whey exports all set records, though lower U.S. production of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder reduced the country's ability to play a larger global role in that market.

Why it matters

The gains in dairy exports in 2025 highlight the critical importance of international markets to the health and vitality of the U.S. dairy industry, including farmers, processors, and other stakeholders. While the U.S. dairy industry faces ongoing challenges, the growth in exports demonstrates the industry's ability to adapt and meet the diverse needs of buyers around the world.

The details

U.S. dairy export volume increased 4% in milk solids equivalent (MSE) terms in 2025, rising to 2.32 million metric tons (MT)—the highest since the 2022 record of 2.41 million MT. U.S. dairy export value gained 15% to $9.63 billion, just shy of the 2022 record of $9.66 billion. The U.S. sent more than 17% of 2025 milk production to overseas markets. U.S. suppliers set records for cheese (+20% to 613,045 MT), butterfat (+167% to 122,085 MT) and high-protein whey (+6% to 77,811 MT), amid growth in several categories, including milk protein concentrate, whole milk powder, yogurt, buttermilk and casein. However, lower U.S. production of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NFDM/SMP) reduced U.S. ability to play a larger global role in that market, with NFDM/SMP exports falling 9% in 2025 (-66,878 MT).

  • In 2025, U.S. cheese exports exceeded 50,000 MT in eight out of 12 months, a first for the industry.
  • U.S. butterfat exports exceeded 100,000 MT for the first time in 2025.

The players

Krysta Harden

President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)

An organization committed to finding solutions and helping to create a level playing field for U.S. dairy to thrive in international markets.

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What they’re saying

“The gains we saw in exports in 2025 show why international markets are critical to the health and vitality of U.S. dairy farmers, processors and other stakeholders.”

— Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)

“There are always hurdles. We are facing challenges now and there will be more ahead. Anticipating and addressing those challenges is part of USDEC's mission. We are committed to finding solutions and helping to create a level playing field for U.S. dairy to thrive.”

— Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)

What’s next

The U.S. dairy industry will need to address lopsided growth in milk component levels, with fat outpacing protein, in order to become a more consistent global supplier of products like butter, anhydrous milkfat (AMF) and whole milk powder (WMP).

The takeaway

The record-setting U.S. dairy export performance in 2025, led by strong growth in cheese, butterfat, and high-protein whey, demonstrates the industry's ability to adapt and meet the diverse needs of global buyers. However, the industry must continue to address challenges, such as lower U.S. production of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder, in order to fully capitalize on expanding international demand for U.S. dairy products.