The U.S. has never exported more than 1 billion pounds of cheese in one year. That feat was accomplished in November as year-to-date U.S. cheese exports reached 1.028 billion pounds, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
Mexico continues to be the leading customer, purchasing 392 million pounds — 38% of all U.S. cheese exports. Mexico’s interest in U.S. cheese continues to grow as the country stepped up purchases by 32% through November compared to the prior year. Additionally, November was the second-highest monthly cheese volume purchase by Mexico, at 40.2 million pounds compared to the record of 40.4 million pounds set in May 2024.
Cheese prices were favorable
The average price for 40-pound blocks of Cheddar cheese in 2024 was $1.82 per pound, with a low of $1.52 in April 2024 and a high of $2.20 in September 2024. This reasonably priced cheese was lower than the top two dairy exporting regions, the European Union and New Zealand, helping support more cheese leaving U.S. borders.
Abbi Prins
Jan 27, 2025
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