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Two months ago in this column, I addressed the alleged decline of milk consumption by Generation Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2012. According to a report, Gen Z is consuming much less milk than the national average.

In 2022, China was ranked No. 1 in U.S. exports of agricultural products. The total export value has increased significantly every year since 2018, rising 14% most recently from 2021 to 2022. 

Gone are the days when consumers walking down the grocery store aisle simply looked at the traditional four P’s of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion. 

Last month in this column, I discussed how I believe concerns about milk-consumption declines are overblown. Although consumption has dropped since 1945 — a much different time — other segments of dairy have picked up the slack. 

The U.S. dairy industry is increasingly reliant on export markets for growth and profitability.

Like a sign above the bar at my favorite watering hole that says “Free Beer Tomorrow,” I feel like economists have been telling us that “Recession Starts Tomorrow” for more than a year now.

Milk has a proven legacy of providing health and wellness benefits through its 13 essential nutrients that solidifies its place in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and has earned endorsements from leading health organizations.

Prior to joining Dairy Foods one year ago, I served as editor-in-chief of a music instrument magazine. The industry had been steadily strumming along, pun intended, for years, until a June 22, 2017 Washington Post article, titled: “Why my guitar gently weeps. The slow, secret death of the six-string electric. And why you should care.”

Consumer demand for cheese as one of the favorite snacks globally has risen following the pandemic. 

As of Jan.1, sesame became the ninth food ingredient, as well as milk, required to be labeled as an allergen on packaged foods and dietary supplements.