The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has highlighted that while the return of whole and 2% milk to U.S. school meal programmes is expected to boost domestic dairy demand, the industry’s long-term growth increasingly depends on expanding global trade.
According to NMPF, the reintroduction of whole milk in schools could generate additional demand equivalent to nearly 24 million pounds of milkfat—enough to produce almost 120 million sticks of butter—providing an important boost to dairy farmers and helping absorb surplus butterfat. However, the organisation noted that the impact of exports is far greater.
In 2026, U.S. milkfat exports increased by more than 160 million pounds compared with 2025, equivalent to around 800 million sticks of butter, underscoring the growing role of international markets in supporting farm incomes. NMPF emphasised that rising global incomes and increasing demand for high-quality dairy products are driving export growth, strengthening U.S. dairy’s global market share while complementing domestic consumption initiatives.
The federation concluded that sustaining dairy prosperity will require a balanced strategy that combines stronger domestic demand with continued expansion of export markets, positioning international trade as a key pillar of the future U.S. dairy industry. (nmpf.org)
Source: Dairynews7x7 29 July, 2026 Read full story here
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