Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted eight requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 294 metric tons (648,371 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to customers in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Central America. The product will be delivered July through November.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 22,318 metric tons (49.2 million pounds) to 20 countries on four continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps 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) Export Assistance