Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted 11 requests from Dairy Farmers of America and three requests from Darigold for assistance in selling a total of 4,631 metric tons (10.2 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in the Middle East, Asia, and Central America. The product will be delivered October 2010 through April 2011.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 28,255 metric tons (62.3 million pounds) to 23 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and in the long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)