U.S. Dairy Trade, Inc. has seen continued export growth in China thanks in part to its long-term participation in Food Export–Midwest’s Market Access Program (MAP)-funded Branded Program. Since 2013, the Hartland, Wisconsin-based supplier has used the program to build brand awareness and expand market share in China—one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for dairy products.

With strong knowledge of the Chinese market and consistent demand for U.S. dairy, U.S. Dairy Trade has maintained steady export growth over the past nine years.

A key milestone in the company’s participation came in 2021, when U.S. Dairy Trade used its Branded Program funding to exhibit at several major trade shows in China, including:

• Food and Hotel China (Shanghai)
• Bakery China Show (Shanghai)
• Food and Hospitality China Show (Guangzhou)

The Branded Program helped offset the costs of exhibiting, leading to $50,000 in export sales—a 150% increase over the previous year. In addition, the company established 5 new agent relationships and gained 5 new foreign buyer contacts, contributing to projected future sales of $1 million.

In 2024, the company continued using Branded Program support to strengthen its promotional efforts in China. Activities included:

• Advertising campaigns
• Product sample shipments
• Promotional giveaway items
• In-store product promotions
• Label modifications
• Technical seminars
• Trade show booth expenses

These efforts helped U.S. Dairy Trade achieve $200,000 in export sales, secure 3 new foreign buyer contacts, and establish 10 new distributorships. The company also projects an additional $200,000 in sales in the coming year.

U.S. Dairy Trade, Inc. was created by farmers to build trust and grow global demand for U.S. dairy. Since 2008, the U.S. dairy industry has made sustainability a core focus. According to the U.S. Dairy website, the industry was the first in the food agricultural sector to conduct a national full life cycle assessment, revealing it contributes just 2% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental progress includes:

• Producing a gallon of milk in 2007 required 90% less land, 65% less water, and had a 63% smaller carbon footprint compared to 1944.
• Between 2007 and 2017, additional advancements reduced milk production’s environmental impact by 30% less water, 21% less land, and a 19% smaller carbon footprint—equivalent to removing the emissions of half a million acres of U.S. forest.

To learn more about U.S. Dairy Trade’s sustainability initiatives, visit their website.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.