CWT Supports More Cheese Exports

Source: NMPF news release

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted three bids from Dairy Farmers of America for a total of 225 metric tons (496,040 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to the Middle East. The product will be delivered July through September 2010.

Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program on March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 17,454 metric tons (38.5 million pounds) to 18 countries on four continents.

The Export Assistance program was reactivated when economic analysis indicated that sizeable cheddar cheese inventories overhanging the market are hampering a recovery in producer milk prices. Assisting CWT members in exporting American-type cheeses provides the most immediate way to positively impact producer milk prices in both the short-term and the long-term.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) is being funded by dairy cooperatives and individual dairy farmers, who are contributing 10 cents per hundredweight assessment on their milk production through December 2010. The money raised by CWT’s investment is being apportioned between two supply management programs that strengthen and stabilize the national all milk price. For more on CWT’s activities, visit www.cwt.coop.