Strong export demand is propping up the US cheese market as sales at home soften, All Ag News reported. Cheese exports were up 24% through July compared with a year earlier, after 20% growth in 2025, and July shipments alone reached 143.9 million pounds, up 25%.
Exports now take more than 10% of US cheese production, becoming an important outlet alongside retail and foodservice.
Domestic demand has been weak. Retail cheese sales were up just 0.1% for the year, sliced cheese sales fell 1.9% over the summer, and visits to quick-service restaurants dropped 2.8% in July, limiting foodservice use. Cheese production rose 2% in July, adding supply as demand slowed, which has kept pressure on prices despite strong overseas sales.
Continued export growth could matter for balancing supply if retail and restaurant demand stays soft through the rest of 2026, which in turn affects milk prices paid to dairy farmers.
Photo: Jon Sullivan / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Source: All Ag News
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