The world’s seven largest dairy exporters are increasingly shifting milk into higher-value products such as cheese, whey and specialty dairy ingredients, as global milk supplies recover and demand patterns evolve, according to DairyReporter. While global milk production is expected to grow modestly in 2026, exporters are moving away from lower-margin commodity powders to maximize returns through value-added dairy products.
The United States is expected to strengthen exports of cheese, butter and whey on the back of competitive pricing and expanded processing capacity, while New Zealand is forecast to achieve record cheese exports as it continues shifting milk from powders to higher-margin products. Australia is also prioritizing cheese production, with exports projected to reach their highest level since 2008, even as whole milk powder exports decline.
Argentina is forecast to increase milk production by around 4% in 2026, supporting higher exports of cheese, whole milk powder, skim milk powder, butter and anhydrous milk fat, while Brazil is expected to remain a major dairy importer despite modest export growth. On the demand side, China is projected to remain the world’s largest dairy importer, with strong demand for whey and increasing cheese consumption, while markets such as Brazil continue to rely heavily on imported milk powders.
The report highlights that the global dairy trade is increasingly being driven by protein-rich and value-added products, reflecting changing consumer demand, stronger processing investments and evolving international trade dynamics. (DairyReporter.com)
Source: Dairynews7x7 10 July, 2026 Read full story here
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