U.S. cheese production increased 1.7% last year
February 1, 2012 By Bob Meyer
Total cheese production in the United States in December was 929 million pounds up 2.4 percent from December of 2010. Italian-type cheese production increased 3.5 percent from a year ago to 409 million pounds while American-type production was 1.2 percent higher at 371 million pounds in December.
Wisconsin cheese production increased 3.5 percent in December to 230.2 million pounds. The Badger State saw American type cheese production increase 0.9 percent to 68.7 million pounds although cheddar output declined 0.8 percent to 49.4 million pounds. Italian cheese production increased 5.8 percent in Wisconsin in December to 121.6 million pounds.
California cheese production increased 2.7 percent to 195.5 million pounds. American cheese production in the Golden State was 1.8 percent lower at 50.13 million pounds including a 0.1 percent decline in cheddar output to 27.78 million pounds. Italian output increase 5.7 percent to 127 million pounds.
Rounding-out the top-five cheese producing states compared to a year ago: Idaho 75.67 million pounds +1.3%; New York 68.6 million pounds +5.9%: New Mexico 64.69 million pounds -2.8%.
Butter production totaled 166 million pounds in December up 8.9 percent from a year ago.
Other product production compared to a year ago:
Nonfat dry milk, 150 million pounds +8%
Skim milk powders, 36.6 million pounds +34.6%
Dry whey, 83 million pounds -7.1%
Lactose, 85.7 million pounds +3.7%
Whey protein concentrate, 39.6 million pounds +5.8%
Regular ice cream 50.3 million gallons, down slightly
Low fat ice cream 24.5 million gallons +16.3%
Sherbet 2.42 million gallons -17.7%
Frozen yogurt 3.27 million gallons +11%
For the year, total cheese production 10.609 billion pounds up 1.7 percent from 2010. Italian type cheese production totaled 4.568 billion pounds up 3.3 percent. Mozzarella output was 2.4 percent higher at 3.573 billion pounds. American type cheese production declined 0.4 percent to 4.259 billion pounds with Cheddar output 2.6 percent lower totaling 3.148 billion pounds.
Butter production for the year increased 15.4 percent to 1.805 billion pounds.