This October, dairy product sales continued to grow both at home and abroad. This has taken place despite relatively high retail product prices when compared to historical levels.

In the United States, cheese continued to lead the way. Overall, American cheese sales, paced by Cheddar, totaled 462.9 million pounds. When compared to the same time last year, that was a 4% jump for the entire category.

“Other than American cheese” consumption, led by Mozzarella and its Italian cheese variety sisters, netted 676 million pounds in sales. Overall, that was 7.1 million pounds higher (1%) than in October 2021.

Butter, which continued to push record prices, did take a hit domestically as sales slumped by 23.4 million pounds to total 184.3 million pounds, reported USDA. Those sales were off 11.3% when compared to the same time last year.

A seven-month win streak

U.S. dairy exports continued at a brisk pace when compared to the prior year.

On a milk solids basis, dairy product exports to international customers rose 9%. That marked the seventh straight month of growth in dairy product sales. Overall, the volume of U.S. dairy exports was up 4% on a milk solids basis through the first 10 months of the year.

On a value basis, U.S. dairy products exports were up a whopping 24% to reach $818.7 million in sales. During the first 10 months of the year, total dairy product sales reached $8.08 billion, and that total already is a new annual record for the United States.

As for specific product categories, nonfat dry milk, skim milk powder, whey, cheese, and butter were all up in export sales this October when compared to the same time last year. Nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder are new to the positive traction. It’s the first time these products have shown sales growth, on a monthly basis, since November 2021.