December 18, 2014
US dairy exporters vow to maintain ''premier'' global status -- USDEC
Investments made by USdairy suppliers in 2014 were largely aimed at developing and sustaining their international markets, according to a report of the Dairy Export Council (USDEC) highlighting its achievements.
The report said the US dairysuppliers'' continued investment in plants, personnel and products geared specifically for exports were "tangible indicators of the industry''s long-term focus on developing and sustaining international markets".
It said, "Gains in these areas in 2014 underscored that export success demands commitment and a consistent presence".
USDEC president Tom Suber said the export infrastructure that US dairy suppliers are building and the export mindset they have adopted "improve US global competitiveness independent of market conditions. It helps maximize potential during up cycles and minimize the impact of down cycles". This attitude, he added, "served the industry particularly well in the volatile year that was 2014".
USDEC said it remained focused on opening new markets, preserving access in existing markets, identifying prime opportunities for US exporters and enhancing the reputation of the US as a premier global dairy supplier.
The USDEC listed its activity highlights in 2014 including the following:
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Collaborated closely with US and Chinese officials to ensure that US plants met newly implemented import regulations before and during a series of plant audits in May 2014.
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Sponsored the Consortium of Common
Food Names, a multinational and multi-product effort to defend common cheese names from EU confiscations.
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Created a new "Why US Dairy" industry positioning to elevate the US industry on the global level.
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Implemented a new cheese program to capitalize on sharply rising cheese demand and exports to
Vietnam.
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Supported US suppliers to expand their product portfolios to capitalize on global opportunities in whole
milk powder, UHT milk and milk protein concentrate.
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Provided actionable
technical assistance to US milk powder suppliers seeking to improve customer satisfaction by reducing quality issues related to spore formation.
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Expanded the Testopedia, a unique online reference that collects and catalogues product test methods used by overseas regulators and customs authorities to minimize import clearance and quality concerns.
- Worked closely with the Whey Protein Research Consortium to support clinical studies whose findings lay the groundwork for greater whey protein use in the developed and developing worlds.