California Ag Network

Tag: USMCA

  • LA Times Report Highlights Corruption in Mexico’s Avocado Region

    The California Avocado Commission said a new Los Angeles Times report detailing pervasive violence and intimidation in Mexico’s major avocado-producing region underscores the urgent need for USMCA import limits on Mexican avocados to protect US growers, safeguard the U.S. food supply and prevent criminal organizations from destroying a vitally important sector of American agriculture.

    The Times report, “Avocados were a lifeline — and then a bitter fruit,” chronicles the experience of families in San Ángel Zurumucapio, Michoacán, where avocado production brought new economic opportunity but where growers have also faced extortion, kidnappings and violence. Residents ultimately organized armed self-defense groups to protect their community.

    “The human toll described by the Los Angeles Times is heartbreaking, and Mexican farmers being threatened, extorted, or caught in cartel violence deserve our sympathy and support. California growers should not have to compete against a Mexican avocado supply chain exploited by cartels that can distort markets and undermine U.S. production,” said Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Commission. “When criminal organizations can extort growers and influence the supply chain, American farmers are left competing in a market shaped by forces far outside normal agricultural competition. That’s why CAC is calling for a seasonal TRQ, to keep trade open while protecting American growers from market-disrupting import surges during our harvest season.”

    — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission 

  • USDEC, NMPF Thank Administration for Maintaining Pressure on Canada

    The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) expressed their strong appreciation to the Trump Administration for its continued focus on using all available trade tools to resolve outstanding U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dairy market access issues with Canada. With a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports taking effect on Saturday, the organizations urged Canada to return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.

    “We appreciate the Administration’s persistence in standing up for American dairy producers and exporters who have waited far too long for Canada to live up to its promises,” said USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden. “Canada has had plenty of chances to fix its unfair market access practices and close the loopholes it’s used to dodge its dairy commitments under USMCA. This weekend’s action makes clear that patience has run out. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration until Canada resolves these issues and America’s dairy farmers and exporters see the full benefits USMCA promised.”

    “This action sends an unmistakable message that Canada’s ongoing disregard for its USMCA dairy commitments carries real consequences,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “It’s time for Canada to stop looking for workarounds and instead sit down in good faith to resolve these outstanding USMCA dairy implementation issues. Canadian retaliation would only serve to force the United States’ hand in escalating its leverage. The objective should be for both our countries to prevent increased friction and build on the progress made through weeks of negotiations.”

    Under USMCA, Canada committed to providing meaningful additional duty-free access for U.S. dairy exports through a series of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). Canada’s administration of those TRQs has repeatedly resulted in chronic underfill. In addition, Canada has continued to exploit loopholes to sidestep USMCA disciplines on dairy protein exports. NMPF and USDEC have consistently urged the Administration to prioritize resolution of both issues as part of the ongoing USMCA Joint Review and continue to call on Canada to come to the table and negotiate in good faith. — Story contributed by the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council

  • IDFA Supports USMCA Review

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) was in Mexico City to support ongoing review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA’s senior vice president of trade and workforce, is engaging with U.S. government officials and industry stakeholders to advance IDFA’s priorities: preserve USMCA and strengthen it for dairy.

    “USMCA is essential to the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry and to the strength of North America’s agricultural economy,” said President and CEO Michael Dykes. “As the review process moves forward, we support U.S. negotiators efforts to resolve outstanding dairy commitments and preserve this agreement that is so vital to the economic growth, investment and long-term certainty for U.S. dairy processors and consumers across the region.”

    Mexico is the largest export destination for U.S. dairy products, buying $2.57b of U.S. dairy exports in 2025. As part of the review process, IDFA has consistently advocated for addressing current USMCA commitments that have not been implemented. IDFA has advocated preserving the agreement for the continued stability and growth of the U.S. dairy sector in North America.

    “The USMCA review presents the best opportunity U.S. dairy has had in six years to take a fresh look at and build on the strong trading relationship we have with Mexico,” said Rasdall Vargas. “While USMCA dairy trade issues commonly focus on Canada, ultimately, every trade relationship has areas to improve upon, and Mexico is no different.  IDFA appreciates Mexico’s constructive engagement in negotiations and looks forward to supporting a positive and speedy conclusion of the USMCA review with Mexico.”

    To learn more about IDFA’s trade policy priorities and advocacy efforts, visit www.idfa.org.

    — Story contributed by the International Dairy Foods Association

  • IDFA Supports USMCA Review

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is in Mexico City this week to support ongoing review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA’s senior vice president of trade and workforce, is engaging with U.S. government officials and industry stakeholders to advance IDFA’s priorities: preserve USMCA and strengthen it for dairy.

    “USMCA is essential to the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry and to the strength of North America’s agricultural economy,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “As the review process moves forward, we support U.S. negotiators efforts to resolve outstanding dairy commitments and preserve this agreement that is so vital to the economic growth, investment and long-term certainty for U.S. dairy processors and consumers across the region.”

    Mexico is the largest export destination for U.S. dairy products, buying $2.57b of U.S. dairy exports in 2025. As part of the review process, IDFA has consistently advocated for addressing current USMCA commitments that have not been implemented. IDFA has advocated preserving the agreement for the continued stability and growth of the U.S. dairy sector in North America.

    “The USMCA review presents the best opportunity U.S. dairy has had in six years to take a fresh look at and build on the strong trading relationship we have with Mexico,” said Rasdall Vargas. “While USMCA dairy trade issues commonly focus on Canada, ultimately, every trade relationship has areas to improve upon, and Mexico is no different.  IDFA appreciates Mexico’s constructive engagement in negotiations and looks forward to supporting a positive and speedy conclusion of the USMCA review with Mexico.”

    To learn more about IDFA’s trade policy priorities and advocacy efforts, visit www.idfa.org. — Story contributed by the International Dairy Foods Association

  • Dairy Orgs Issue Statements on Tariffs on Canadian Imports

    White House recently issued three presidential proclamations pursuant to Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose additional 50% tariffs on certain goods from Canada in response to Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products, including dairy. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), U.S Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have issued statements regarding the measure.

    “IDFA has consistently called on Canada to fully implement its dairy commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and eliminate policies that deny U.S. dairy exporters the market access that was negotiated,” said IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes. “Our members seek the fair and transparent access promised under the agreement, including proper administration of dairy tariff-rate quotas and the elimination of policies that distort dairy protein trade.”

    “We appreciate the administration’s commitment to standing up for dairy farmers and manufacturers eager to make full use of the market access commitments Canada made under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement [USMCA],” USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden, said. “For far too long, Canada has intentionally misused its tariff rate quota system to impede the full use of USMCA dairy quotas. It’s time for Canada to come to the table and resolve this and other USMCA dairy issues. We look forward to working with the administration to ensure that all the intended dairy benefits of USMCA are fully realized.”

    “Today’s assertive action by the administration makes clear to Canada that their dairy trade practices will no longer be tolerated,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said. “Canada simply cannot continue to discriminate against U.S. dairy farmers by effectively blocking negotiated access to its market. It is well past time for Canada to negotiate in good faith and tackle the outstanding USMCA dairy implementation issues to help drive a successful conclusion of the USMCA review.”

    — Story contributed by the NMPF, IDFA and USDEC

  • USMCA Review Puts Dairy Back in the Spotlight

    The Trump administration announced July 1 it will not renew USMCA in its current form, triggering the agreement’s annual review process while keeping all existing trade provisions—including dairy tariff-rate quotas and rules of origin—in force. The move does not disrupt current dairy trade but keeps long-standing issues, including Canada’s dairy market access, on the negotiating table.

    One week earlier, while speaking June 24 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conference, Three Nations, One Table: North American Agriculture Under USMCA, Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation and former U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator under the first Trump administration, described dairy as one of North America’s most integrated industries.

    “I think one of the most fascinating conversations on integration is dairy between the U.S. and Canada. I mean, we have facilities on both sides of the border, very close to each other, and there’s stuff going back and forth all the time, which makes it really complicated to know what the real trade is,” Doud said.

    His observation reveals a challenge ahead. While the U.S. operates under a market-oriented milk pricing system built around Federal Orders that are benchmarks, not guarantees, and Canada relies on administered pricing through fat-based milk production quotas, dairy manufacturing has become increasingly integrated as it straddles the border with investments in the U.S. by Canadian-based companies, including at least one prominent Canadian-farmer-owned-cooperative company operating and expanding state-side.

    As negotiations move forward, policymakers will be weighing not only market ‘access,’ but also where value is created and where it lands in an “integrated” North American supply chain and what else is being integrated in terms of ‘sustainability’ definitions, metrics and data collection. In today’s ag and dairy economy, the question of what crosses the border is much more complicated than it was six years ago. — Story contributed by the American Dairy Coalition

  • California Avocado Growers Release Video Urging Tariff Rate Quota on Mexican Imports

    The California Avocado Commission released a new video last week as part of a broad advocacy campaign urging federal officials to put American farmers first by adopting a seasonal import policy for Mexican avocados during California’s marketing season, March to September.

    The video features celebrity chef and restaurant owner Andrew Gruel; Jayme Franklin, founder and CEO of The Conservateur; Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) and; California avocado farmers Rachael Laenen of Kimball Ranches, Andy Sheaffer of Vista Punta Gorda, Robert Jackson of Jackson Ranch, John Haskett of Lucky Charm Farms and Maureen Cottingham of CamLam Farms.

    The release comes as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Wednesday that the United States did not agree to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in its current form. The agreement, which governs much of the trade among the United States, Mexico and Canada, remains in force while the countries address its shortcomings. Greer also said the United States will meet with Mexico the week of July 20 for a third round of bilateral negotiations related to the trade agreement’s joint review.

    The Commission said those talks are directly relevant to California avocado growers because of Mexican avocado imports, cartel involvement in Mexico’s avocado industry, pest inspections and risks, and market oversupply all affect whether U.S. trade policy is working for American farmers and consumers.

    “We are on the precipice of a culinary disaster, I call it, because there may come a day soon where we are no longer able to buy California avocados in our own backyard because of the oversurplus of imports on the market that are ultimately going to wipe out California avocados,” Gruel said.

    The Commission is calling for a seasonal tariff rate quota on Mexican avocado imports from March through September, California’s primary harvest window. Under the proposal, a set volume of Mexican avocados would continue entering the U.S. market during those months at a zero  tariff rate. Imports above that level could still enter, but at a high tariff rate.

    “If we believe in America First and Making America Healthy Again, that should include the food that we put on our tables,” Franklin said. “So next time you’re at the grocery store, look for California-grown avocados. I’ll always support the hardworking California families that grow the best avocados in the world.”

    “California avocado growers are not asking to stop trade, we’re asking for the opportunity to compete fairly in our own market,” said Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Commission. “A seasonal Tariff Rate Quota is a balanced, common-sense solution that supports orderly markets while protecting America’s domestic food production capacity. This video  tells the story of our growers and demonstrates why thoughtful trade policy is essential to preserving a vibrant domestic avocado industry.”

    The video also focuses on cartel involvement in Mexico’s avocado industry. The Commission has previously raised concerns that cartel threats and violence contributed to reduced U.S. oversight of Mexican avocado inspections, increasing the risk that invasive pests could enter the United States through imported fruit.

    “From a single tree in Southern California, the Hass avocado became an icon, and it is 100% American,” Gruel said in the video.

    “Buying local means that you’re getting a fresher product because there’s a shorter supply chain,” Gruel said. “side by side , the California avocado versus an imported avocado, it’s a better product hands down. It’s richer, it’s creamier — and that’s the most important thing. On top of all of that, you’re supporting a local economy and you’re supporting American farmers, and that’s the backbone of our economy.”

    “In Mexico, cartels are extorting growers, controlling portions of the supply chain and using violence and intimidation to maintain that control,” Franklin said in the video. “Whatever your perspective is on trade policy, protecting American agriculture and ensuring a safe, reliable food chain is necessary.”

    “Many Americans are buying Mexican avocados and don’t even know that they are not grown with the same worker protection and pay standards, and environmental protections that we uphold here in the U.S.,” Franklin said.

    The Commission said the proposal should be considered as the United States reviews its trade relationship with Mexico. The commission said its goal is not to end avocado trade, but to ensure that trade policy does not allow foreign oversupply, cartel-compromised supply chains or weakened inspection systems to push American growers out of their own market. — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • Secretary Rollins Blocks Taxpayer Dollars for Solar Panels on Prime Farmland

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Representative John Rose, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, recently announced USDA will no longer fund taxpayer dollars for solar panels on productive farmland or allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in USDA projects. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available. Within the last 30 years, Tennessee alone has lost over 1.2 million acres of farmland and is expected to lose 2 million acres by 2027. This problem is not just in Tennessee, since 2012, solar panels on farmland nationwide have increased by nearly 50%. That is why the Department is taking action.

    “Our prime farmland should not be wasted and replaced with green new deal subsidized solar panels. It has been disheartening to see our beautiful farmland displaced by solar projects, especially in rural areas that have strong agricultural heritage. One of the largest barriers of entry for new and young farmers is access to land. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are no longer allowing businesses to use your taxpayer dollars to fund solar projects on prime American farmland, and we will no longer allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in our USDA-funded projects.”

    “Tennesseans know that our farmland is our national security, our economic future, and our children’s heritage. We were honored to welcome Secretary Rollins to Tennessee this week, and I’m grateful for her leadership to defend America’s farmland from foreign adversaries and protect our food supply,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

    “Tennessee farmland should be used to grow the crops that feed our state and country, not to house solar panels made by foreign countries like Communist China,” said Senator Blackburn. “Secretary Rollins and President Trump are right to put an end to these Green New Deal subsidies that waste taxpayer dollars while threatening America’s food security. I applaud this administration for investing in rural communities across Tennessee and empowering them to prosper for years to come.”

    “Competition is the American way. As a business owner, I know well the importance of fighting for your spot in the free market. It sparks innovation and often drives down costs for consumers. By leveling the playing field, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins is ensuring an abundant energy future for Tennessee and beyond,” said Representative John Rose (TN-06).

    “Secretary Rollins understands that food security is national security, and preserving prime farmland for agricultural production is a key component of protecting our food supply. I look forward to working with her and this Administration to ensure any incentives for renewable energy projects have commonsense safeguards in place that provide options for producers while protecting our most productive farmland,” said House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15).

    “I strongly support Secretary Rollins’ action today implementing President Trump’s executive order de-prioritizing undependable energy sources, and protecting our prime farmland for much/needed food production. Ending wasteful taxpayer Green New Scam subsidies that have driven up energy costs and taken farmland out of production are long overdue. This action protects farmland so important to our Eastern Shore economy, strengthens American agriculture, and puts our energy independence first,” said Representative Andy Harris (MD-01).

    “The land that feeds America should never be sacrificed for unreliable green energy experiments subsidized by taxpayer dollars. With this action, the USDA is making it clear that agriculture, not foreign-made solar panels, belongs on America’s farmland. This step ensures our land, food supply, and rural traditions are protected for generations to come,” said Representative Tom Tiffany (WI-7).

    “We shouldn’t be subsidizing solar projects on prime farmland, that land is too valuable for producing the food and fuel our nation depends on. Secretary Rollins is right to step in and make sure taxpayer dollars aren’t used to take our best farmland out of production, and I strongly support stopping the use of solar panels made by foreign adversaries like China. I’m proud to see that the Trump Administration continues to be committed to protecting American agriculture and standing up to China,” said Representative Mike Bost (IL-12).

    “There is no such thing as a solar farm. It is a waste of one of our most precious resources, our land. The extortion of the American taxpayers through solar subsidies, and the destruction of our farm and forest resources, has gone on for far too long. I commend Secretary Rollins for taking action to keep taxpayer dollars from being wasted on solar panels, purchased from our adversaries like China, and to no longer allow these unaffordable “green” projects to waste space on our American farmland and destroy our forest and wildlife habitat,” said Representative Austin Scott (GA-08).

    “For too long, Washington bureaucrats and foreign adversaries have tried to dictate how we use our land and our resources. Taxpayers should never be forced to bankroll green new deal scams that destroy our farmland and undermine our food security. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Rollins for standing up for America’s farmers and ranchers by ensuring our prime farmland is protected from foreign adversaries and our taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Our agricultural heritage is the backbone of this nation, and these commonsense reforms put food security, national security, and American sovereignty first,” said Representative Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

    “The Trump Administration is continuing to listen to those at home who were struggling under the previous administration’s Green New Scam. It’s been proven time and time again that subsidies negatively impact market pricing, passing the cost directly to consumers. I applaud the work of the USDA protecting national security, prioritizing American products first, and amplifying an all-of-the-above energy approach,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05).

    “Green New Deal subsidies have distorted the energy market and supplanted American farmland. USDA is taking decisive action which complements policies I supported in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ending the misuse of taxpayer dollars and upholding our national security interests in energy infrastructure. I appreciate Secretary Rollins’ leadership in restoring common sense to these USDA programs,” said Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03).

    Protecting American Farmland:

    This action will rapidly eliminate the market distortions and costs imposed on taxpayers by reducing energy subsidies and builds upon the repeal of and modifications to wind, solar, and other “green” energy tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It will further USDA’s determination to end taxpayer support for unaffordable and unreliable “green” energy sources and ensure the supply chain consists of American products and manufacturing.

    Effective immediately, USDA will implement the following programmatic actions:

    • For the USDA Rural Development Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program wind and solar projects are not eligible.
    • For the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan Program (REAP Guaranteed Loan Program), USDA will ensure that American farmers, ranchers and producers utilizing wind and solar energy sources will install units that are right-sized for their facilities. If project applications include ground mount solar photovoltaic systems larger than 50kW or ground mount solar photovoltaic systems that cannot document historical energy usage, they will no longer be eligible for the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program, and priority points will no longer be given for REAP grants.

    USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. The commitment and resources we bring to rural communities help drive economic security and prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov.

  • Opportunities for CA Tree Nuts & Dairy in Upcoming Trade Mission to Mexico

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications for its upcoming agribusiness trade mission to Mexico City, Mexico, scheduled for November 3–6. U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in Mexico’s dynamic agricultural market must apply by Thursday, July 31.

    “Strengthening export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses is a top priority of USDA,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in Mexico, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”

    Mexico was the largest export market for U.S. agricultural products in 2024, with sales totaling more than $30 billion, supporting approximately 190,000 U.S. jobs. Agricultural trade between the United States and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) reached nearly $79 billion in 2024 and has shown consistent growth over the last decade.

    To ensure the protection of U.S. livestock herds, in June, Secretary Rollins launched a Bold Plan to combat New World Screwworm (PDF, 434 KB) by protecting our border at all costs, increasing eradication efforts in Mexico, and increasing readiness. USDA also announced the groundbreaking of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This facility will provide a critical contingency capability to disperse sterile flies should a NWS detection be made in the southern United States.

    Growing U.S. exports to Mexico are supported by factors such as rising disposable income among Mexico’s upper middle class, familiarity with U.S. products and food trends, and strong demand for high-quality agricultural goods.

    Consumer-oriented products represent the largest share of U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico and have increased by more than 75 percent between 2020 and 2024. USDA anticipates strong export opportunities across several product sectors, including:

    •Beef, poultry, and related products

    •Dairy products

    •Seafood

    •Tree nuts

    •Pet food

    •Baking and food processing ingredients

    Additional opportunities exist for U.S. products such as animal feed, rice, pulses, seed potatoes, and livestock genetics.

    During the trade mission, U.S. agribusiness representatives will connect directly with buyers from Mexico City and surrounding regions through business-to-business meetings, market briefings, site visits, and networking events led by FAS staff and regional experts.

    For more information or to apply, see the Mexico Agribusiness Trade Mission webpage. The application deadline is Thursday, July 31, 2025.

    The Mexico trade mission is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. Recent trade missions to Thailand, Guatemala, Hong Kong, and Peru have delivered measurable success for U.S. exporters. Applications are now closed for the trade mission to Taiwan. To learn more about FAS agribusiness trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

  • U.S. Dairy Exports Reach $8.2 Billion, Marking Second-Highest Level Ever—Industry Poised for a “Golden Age” of Trade

    The U.S. dairy industry is poised to establish a new “golden age” of U.S. dairy trade, with exports reaching $8.2 billion in 2024—the second-highest total export value ever and a $223 million year-over-year increase, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mexico and Canada—U.S. dairy’s top two global trading partners representing more than 40% of U.S. dairy exports—each imported record values of dairy at $2.47 billion and $1.14 billion respectively. Central American markets also surged, with Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador all importing record values of U.S. dairy. U.S. dairy exports to China declined in 2024, marking the lowest year since 2020.

    “The U.S. dairy industry is ready to capitalize on a renewed trade agenda in 2025,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). “Consumers in the United States and around the world continue to demand more U.S. dairy because we provide an assortment of delicious, nutritious and affordable dairy products. From award-winning cheeses, to high-value whey ingredients and milk powders used to make life-saving products for children and adults to safe and nutritious ESL milk, U.S. dairy is known throughout the world for quality and reliability.

    “Our industry is poised to become the world’s leading supplier of dairy products thanks to the resilience and innovation of the American dairy industry. To do that, we need a trade agenda that prioritizes market access and ensures a level playing field. For too long, our exports to Canada have yet to fulfill the promises of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) because Canadian policies continue to prevent American exporters from filling their tariff-rate quotas. Demand remains soft in key markets such as China and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, illustrating the need for a strategic approach to trade with markets in the Asia Pacific region. Overall, U.S. dairy exports are performing well, but we can do more. With new trade agreements that remove obstacles and increase market access, we wouldn’t just break records—we would redefine the global dairy landscape for decades to come.”

    The U.S. dairy industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs in the United States and pumps almost $800 billion into the U.S. economy, has invested more than $8 billion in new processing capacity that will come online in the next few years. The industry relies on trade agreements to open new markets and increase exports. After being a net importer of dairy products a decade ago, the United States now exports $8 billion worth of dairy products to 145 countries. U.S. dairy exports nearly tripled since the early 2000s, and the United States became the world’s third-largest dairy product exporter behind New Zealand and the European Union (EU). Today, approximately one day’s worth of milk produced on America’s dairy farms each week is exported, or roughly 18% of all production. As U.S. milk production continues to increase over the next decade, expanding markets will become even more vital to ensure the global competitiveness of the industry and to boost the American economy.

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.