China is sneezing: Will this cool the US dairy sector?

To continue reading the article, log in with your account or register on MilkPoint. Get access to exclusive content! Media headlines often focus on the importance of the global milk and powdered milk market to the U.S. dairy sector and specifically the impact of the trade war with China. China is the leading importer of almost all major dairy products and purchases 27% of all marketed dairy products based on milk solids, with the exception of cheese. China buys 20% of US dairy exports and almost half of whey powder exports. Even when China does not buy directly from the US, by purchasing milk from countries that compete with US exports, it effectively influences US prices. Milk consumption in China exploded in 2021 when Zhong Nanshan ("China's Dr. Fauchi") declared that milk was essential for boosting immunity and reducing Covid risk. That year, China's consumption increase was equal to the global total increase for the ...