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From Cheese Expo: Sustainability, Supply Chain, Export Markets Key Topics Among Dairy Producers

Given current supply chain obstacles, it has been difficult getting products to consumers around the world. But the fact remains that U.S. dairy producers have great opportunities and need to drive the sustainability and food safety narrative.

Krysta Harden (right) of the U.S. Dairy Export Council led a panel discussion at the Cheese Expo in Milwaukee.
Krysta Harden (right) of the U.S. Dairy Export Council led a panel discussion at the Cheese Expo in Milwaukee.

When the U.S. Dairy Export Council was formed almost 27 years ago, the U.S. was exporting only about 2% of its production. Today, it’s closer to 18%. If not for some of the headwinds being created by shipping issues, it would’ve been more like 20% last year, according to Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the council.

“People love our products, they want our products, they want to be able to afford our products,” Harden told an audience at the recent Cheese Expo in Milwaukee. “It’s up to us whether we’re going to step up and meet that demand.”


Watch video   Take 5 video: Cheese Expo Panel: Supply Chain Challenges Hit U.S. Dairy Exporters

Joining Harden on stage for the keynote discussion were a handful of cheese and milk execs—all of whom lamented the supply chain woes that have befallen this along with just about every other industry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. David Ahlem, president and CEO of Hilmar Cheese, said that supply chain issues were a leading challenge for his company. “We’ve been selling a lot of stuff, but we can’t get it to customers right now,” he said.

There’s underlying optimism that goes along with that. “Customers want to purchase our products even at current price levels. I’m excited about the long-term demand in the marketplace,” Ahlem says. But there’s also concern that the situation cannot continue if Hilmar wants to continue to get business. “Long term, it affects our ability to be a reliable supplier. Customers need to know whether we can be that predictable supplier. And we need to be.”

From Harden’s perspective, it’s a concern worth losing sleep over. “I’m a good sleeper,” she says. “But the thing that wakes me up is this shipping situation.”

It used to be that U.S. dairy producers would export only what they happened to have leftover. “The industry worked so hard to change that narrative,” she says. “Is there concern that this is going to flip back some of that narrative?”

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