Andy Montoya
The United States is the second-largest producer of cheese in the world, generating approximately 6.35 million metric tons of cheese. In 2022, the US exported more than 450,000 metric tons of cheese, valued at $2.3 billion, with top export markets including Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Despite being a major exporter, the US government has been criticised for stockpiling cheese, with 1.4 billion pounds of cheese stored in Missouri cheese caves as of 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top cheese-producing states | Wisconsin and California |
| Nickname of Wisconsin | America's Dairyland |
| Amount of cheese produced in Wisconsin in 2023 | 3.5 billion pounds |
| Amount of cheese produced in the US in 2022 | 6.35 million metric tons |
| Amount of cheese exported by the US in 2022 | 450,000 metric tons |
| Value of cheese exported by the US in 2022 | $2.3 billion |
| Top export markets | Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Canada |
| Percentage of cheese imported by Mexico from the US in 2022 | 87% |
| Percentage of cheese imported by South Korea from the US in 2022 | 43% |
| Percentage of cheese imported by Canada and Japan from the US in 2022 | 20% |
| Percentage of cheese imported by Australia from the US in 2022 | 25% |
| Amount of cheese stored by the US government in 2022 | 1.4 billion pounds |
| Location of cheese storage | Underground warehouses in Missouri (also known as "Missouri cheese caves") |
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What You'll Learn
The US government stores millions of pounds of cheese
The United States is the second-largest producer of cheese in the world, manufacturing approximately 6.35 million metric tons of cheese annually. The US also imports cheese from other countries, including Mexico, France, Italy, and New Zealand.
The US government has a history of intervening in the dairy industry, which has sometimes resulted in cheese stockpiling. In the 1970s, during a national dairy shortage, the government intervened, causing prices to fall drastically. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter invested in the dairy industry to boost production and alleviate the crisis. This led to overproduction, and by the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan enacted the public distribution of government cheese through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. This cheese was provided at no cost to welfare, food stamp, and Social Security recipients. However, the first shipments of this cheese were often moldy, and the government struggled to find a market for it.
In more recent years, the US government has again found itself storing large amounts of cheese. In 2019, amid trade disputes and declining dairy consumption, the government was stockpiling America's surplus cheese, with reports of 1.4 billion pounds of cheese stored in cheese caves in Missouri. While the government has subsidized the dairy industry to support farmers and cheese companies, critics argue that these funds could be better spent helping farmers transition to more in-demand crops.
The US government's cheese stockpiling efforts have been a controversial topic, with concerns raised about waste, environmental impact, and the potential adverse effects on the commercial cheese market.
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Top cheese-producing states in the US
The United States is one of the largest cheese producers globally, alongside countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. In 2022, natural cheese made up the largest share of cheese sales in the US, generating approximately 11.7 billion US dollars.
Wisconsin is the largest cheese-producing state in the US, often referred to as "America's Dairyland." It contributed significantly to the US cheese market, producing around 3.5 billion pounds of cheese in 2023. Wisconsin is renowned for its cheddar, Colby, and brick cheeses, among many others.
California is the second-largest cheese producer, known for its mozzarella and Monterey Jack. In 2013, California produced 2.51 billion pounds of cheese. Other significant cheese-producing states include Idaho, New Mexico, and New York, each with their own specialty cheeses and contributions to the industry. Vermont is also mentioned as a state with excellent cheese.
It is worth noting that the US government has been criticized for subsidizing and stockpiling America's cheese surplus. In 2019, the government was storing approximately 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in "cheese caves," hundreds of feet below the ground in Missouri. This was due to declining dairy consumption and trade disputes.
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US cheese exports
The United States has a long history of manufacturing safe cheese and dairy products. The U.S. dairy industry is highly regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The country's cheese exports have skyrocketed from just over 12,000 metric tons in 1991 to over 348,000 metric tons in 2018, making the United States the world's second-largest cheese exporter. U.S. cheese exports have been growing at an annual average growth rate of 9% since 2017, with a total value of exports of "cheese and curd" from the USA totalling $2.19 billion in 2023.
Mexico is the leading market for U.S. dairy products, accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports. In 2021, exports to Mexico rebounded strongly by 28%, led by sales of skimmed milk powder (SMP) and cheese. The U.S. also saw strong sales to Canada and China, with year-over-year gains of 16% and 38%, respectively. In 2021, world prices of major dairy products increased rapidly as global demand surpassed supplies, and U.S. prices for commodities such as SMP, cheese, whey, whey products, and butter remained competitive, leading to sharply higher exports.
The U.S. has also registered notable gains in established markets such as Japan and South Korea and newer markets in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The U.S. dairy industry has been increasing milk production and is expected to become an increasingly critical supplier to global dairy markets.
The types of cheese exported by the U.S. include:
- Cheese (not grated, powdered, or processed)
- Grated/powdered cheese
- Fresh (unripened/uncured) cheese, including whey cheese and curd
- Processed cheese (not grated/powdered)
- Blue-veined cheese and other cheese containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti (not grated, powdered, or processed)
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Government cheese
The US government has a history of intervening in the dairy market, which has resulted in the accumulation of large amounts of cheese. This phenomenon, often referred to as "government cheese", involves the government purchasing and storing cheese, as well as distributing it to various beneficiaries.
The story of government cheese began in the 1970s during a national dairy shortage. The government intervened to address this shortage, which, combined with inflation on dairy products, caused dairy prices to drop drastically. Farmers responded by increasing their production, knowing that the government would purchase any unsold products. This led to a surplus of dairy products, particularly cheese, as it has a longer shelf life than other dairy products.
By the early 1980s, the US government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese. In 1981, then-President Ronald Reagan enacted the public distribution of government cheese through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. This program provided cheese at no cost to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. The cheese was distributed in monthly, unsliced block form, often from food surpluses stockpiled by the government.
The distribution of government cheese became a controversial topic in the 1980s, as it coincided with a period of food insecurity for millions of Americans. The cheese was also criticised for being mouldy and of poor quality. In addition to domestic distribution, the government sold cheese at discounted prices or provided it as aid to foreign countries.
The accumulation and distribution of government cheese continued into the 2010s, with reports indicating that the government stored 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in 2019. This cheese was stored in "Missouri cheese caves", underground warehouses in Missouri, as well as in over 150 warehouses across 35 states. The government's rationale for maintaining these stockpiles was to support farmers and cheese companies, as well as to create a strategic food reserve for unexpected surges in demand or crises.
While the government cheese program provided assistance to vulnerable populations, it has also faced criticism for potentially impacting the market for commercial cheese and contributing to obesity among low-income individuals. The government's role in the dairy market and its handling of cheese surpluses remain ongoing discussions in the United States.
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US cheese imports
The United States is one of the world's top ten cheese exporters, and it also produces significant amounts of cheese domestically. However, the US also imports cheese from other countries to meet the diverse demands of its consumers.
The US has strict regulations on importing cheese, enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Both the ingredients and processing methods of cheese determine its legality for import, and certain cheeses are subject to tariff-rate quotas based on type and origin. To import cheese into the US, it must meet the FDA's health and safety standards, and specific requirements apply to commercial imports. The USDA also issues permits for some cheese products based on the country of origin. Proper documentation is crucial to avoid penalties and rejection of shipments.
Popular Imported Cheeses in the US Market
While European cheese has traditionally dominated the specialty cheese import market in the US, other countries are gaining recognition. Here are some examples of specialty cheeses imported into the US from various regions:
- Mexico: Cotija, a cow's milk cheese aged like Parmesan but crumbles like Feta.
- Middle East: Nabulsi, a salty, white brined cheese made from sheep or goat milk.
- Australia: Anthill Cheese, a soft goat cheese topped with green ants for a unique citrusy flavour.
- India and Southeast Asia: Paneer, a non-melting cheese traditionally made from buffalo milk, now often mixed with cow milk.
- Argentina: Sardo, similar to Italian pecorino but made with cow's milk, commonly used for grating over pasta and soups.
US Cheese Import Statistics
In 2023, the US imported cheese and curd products worth approximately $1.82 billion, with the value of imports increasing by 11.2% compared to 2022. Imports of commodity group 0406 "Cheese and curd" accounted for 0.057% of total US import flow in 2023. However, it is important to note that the US also exports a significant amount of cheese, with exports totalling $2.19 billion in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The US is the second-largest producer of cheese in the world, manufacturing approximately 6.35 million metric tons of cheese. The top cheese-producing states in the US are Wisconsin and California. Wisconsin, also known as "America's Dairyland", produced over 3.5 billion pounds of cheese in 2023.
Yes, the US imports cheese from various countries. In 2022, the US imported more than 450,000 metric tons of cheese, valued at approximately $2.3 billion. The top export markets for US cheese include Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Canada.
Yes, the US government has a history of storing and distributing cheese. During the 1970s, in response to a national dairy shortage and inflation, the government intervened, leading to cheese stockpiles. By the early 1980s, the government owned over 500 million pounds of cheese, which was distributed as "government cheese". More recently, in 2019, the government stored 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in "Missouri cheese caves" due to declining dairy consumption and trade disputes.
"Government cheese" refers to cheese that was controlled and distributed by the US federal government from World War II until the early 1980s. It was a result of maintaining artificially high milk prices through dairy industry subsidies, which led to surpluses of cheese, butter, and powdered milk. This cheese was stored in warehouses across 35 states and provided to welfare, food stamp, and Social Security recipients at no cost.
