Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted 17 requests for export assistance from Darigold, Foremost Farms, and Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 1,308 metric tons (2.884 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in the Middle East and Asia. The product will be delivered January 2011 through June 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 34,411 metric tons (75.9 million pounds) to 26 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 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)