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EXPORTS OF TOTAL DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM THE UNITED STATES
Bureau of the Census data for the first 5 months of 1998 show that the pace of U.S. dairy product exports is running approximately 10 percent above that of 1997. For the first 5 months of 1998, the total value of dairy exports was $388 million compared to $342 in the same period of 1997. On a product basis, most of the increase is due to sharply higher shipments of nonfat dry milk as a result of the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP). Butter and anhydrous milkfat have also been aided by DEIP, but due in part at least, to the timing of shipments, butter exports are actually down rather than up in the first 5 months of 1998. On a value basis, the decline in butter exports is largely offset by increased exports of anhydrous milkfat. Ice cream and condensed milk have shown strong growth for the first five months of 1998 but that follows significant declines in 1997. Within the whey complex, exports of whey protein concentrate are running ahead of last year but not enough to offset the slower pace for dried whey. As a result, the overall value of whey exports is running 8 percent below comparable months of 1997. Dairy based food products (other dairy products), continue to show rapid growth in value.
On a regional basis, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, are up significantly due in part at least to sharp increases in DEIP activity. Also, in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico and Canada have shown strong growth for the January-May period. Economic problems in Asia hurt U.S. exports to that region in early 1998. Exports for the first 5 months of 1998 are nearly $20 million below last' year's $150 million total for the same period. Most of the change is due to a broad array of products, not just to NDM, the major DEIP commodity shipped to the region.
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