Nearly all consumers buy private-label products when grocery shopping, according to a study of 6,600 consumers conducted by Market Force Information, Louisville, Colo. Of the categories studied, dairy products were the most frequently purchased private-label grocery item. Snacks ranked second and cereal and cleaning supplies tied for third. 

Five dairy processors, accounting for more than 20% of U.S. milk production, have committed to a voluntary set of best practices for traceability. That's just one of many stories on dairyfoods.com this week.

The nimble cheesemakers at Westby Cooperative Creamery can make a dozen different conventional and organic products a day. They process cheeses, yogurts and other cultured dairy foods for private-label accounts, plus Westby’s own award-winning cottage cheese brand.

“The top five companies remain unchanged in their position on the list, yet there are now two Chinese companies in the rank of the largest 15 companies, whereas there were none in the top 20 until 2008,” said Rabobank analyst Tim Hunt. “In contrast, the lack of a U.S.-based global consolidator means that the rankings of U.S. companies has declined.”

Dairy Foods has selected Agri-Mark Inc., a dairy cooperative based in Lawrence, Mass., the 2013 Exporter of the Year. The magazine will present the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year award to the company at the annual meeting of the U.S. Dairy Export Council in Chicago in October. 

All of the first-place entries from the contest will be auctioned off on Tuesday, Oct. 1 during the World Dairy Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. In addition to milk, other categories included cheese, ice cream, yogurt and butter.

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has acquired Dairy Maid Dairy. Located in Frederick, Md., Dairy Maid is a family-owned processor of milk, juice and fruit drinks. Dairy Maid has been owned and operated by the Vona family since 1946.

The world's largest milk powder dryer at Fonterra's Darfield, New Zealand site kicked into gear last week producing its first batches of whole milk powder which will be exported to more than 20 markets worldwide including the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia.