Even though the government lifted all restrictions on exports of milk products last month, milk powder exports are hit by credibility issues. Indian skimmed milk powder (SMP) exporters face credibility issues in the export markets after seeing two bans in the past few years. Between February 2007 and now, exports were banned twice for a total period of 22 months. A 14-month ban was lifted in June this year. In February 2007, exports were banned for eight months. Companies are giving huge discounts to lure back buyers as they face pressure on domestic prices.

Arizona dairyman Paul Rovey was elected chairman of the checkoff-funded U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) at the association’s membership meeting in October. Rovey had been serving as interim chairman, filling the seat made vacant by previous chairman Les Hardesty’s retirement from the industry. Kenton Holle was elected to serve as USDEC’s vice chairman, while Tom Gallagher was re-elected USDEC’s secretary/treasurer.

Researchers from GNS Science and Otago University believe they have found a method to identify the geographical source of milk powder products – a potential answer to the problem of counterfeit ‘Made in New Zealand’ milk products.

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 12 requests for export assistance to sell 2.090 million pounds (948 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 5.463 million pounds (2,478 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) has recently announced it will be closing its manufacturing facility in Dawson, Minnesota, by the end of the year. The closing is the result of a recently announced sale of AMPI’s aseptic or shelf-stable dairy products line to Bay Valley Foods.