Dairy exports in 2013 set a record. U.S. dairy exporters shipped record levels of milk powder, cheese, whey products, lactose and fluid milk, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Overseas sales were worth $6.7 billion last year, up 31% from the year before. On a volume basis, exporters sold 3.91 billion pounds of milk solids, 19% more than 2012.

“Overseas demand remained strong, led by China and Russia,” said USDEC President Tom Suber. “Production from Oceania, Europe and South America was shorted by weather issues. And world prices rallied significantly in the second quarter, making U.S. prices more attractive by comparison. Faced with these factors, overseas buyers turned to the United States like never before, and U.S. suppliers responded.”

Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, Toronto, acquired Salerno Dairy, a family-owned company in Hamilton, Ontario, that makes specialty Italian cheese.

Dairies report 2013 revenues

• Nestle’s revenues rose 2.7% to 92.2 billion Swiss francs (about $103.9 billion) in 2013. Worldwide milk and ice cream revenues rose 5.8%.
• Denmark-based Arla said its 2013 revenue rose nearly 17% to 73.6 billion Danish kroner (about $13.5 billion).
• Dallas-based Dean Foods Co. said 2013 revenues declined to $9 billion.
• Last year’s revenues at Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods were down slightly to $18.2 billion. Sales of cheese rose 2.5% to $3.9 billion. 
• Westby Cooperative Creamery, Westby, Wis., said 2013 revenues were a record $55 million.

Saute Express Sauté Starter by Land O’ Lakes, Yoplait Greek Frozen Yogurt Bars Honey Caramel, WhiteWave’sSilk Light Almondmilk and Kraft’sPhiladelphia Snack Delights were among the winners of the 2014 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards. The winning products were chosen directly by more than 80,000 consumers who participated in an extensive nationwide survey, conducted by independent marketing research firm BrandSpark International.

David Camp joined California Dairies Inc. as senior vice president and CFO.

 Darrin Monteiro of California Dairies Inc. and Pat Van Dam of Two B Dairy have been appointed to the Dairy Council of California board of directors by Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.