Farmer leaders from the U.S. dairy community gained a close-up, all-encompassing view this week of the game-changing U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence (U.S. CDE) – a Singapore-based education hub and meeting space that opened in 2020.

Visionary U.S. dairy farmers and processors invested in the U.S. CDE to serve as a gateway for collaboration between the U.S. dairy industry and Southeast Asia's food and beverage stakeholders, the culinary sector, health professionals and other partners. Its opening marked the first overseas physical investment by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). The investment represents U.S. dairy’s long-term commitment to strengthen in-market relationships in Southeast Asia, the second largest destination for U.S. dairy exports on a volume and value basis.

Delayed for three years due to the global pandemic, the farmers’ initial in-person visit to the U.S. CDE provided a first-hand opportunity to see and experience how the facility incorporates local and cultural innovations using U.S. dairy in the region. Through the Center, the U.S. dairy industry helps educate customers about U.S. dairy ingredients and cheese and inform members about promising export growth opportunities in Southeast Asia.

“The U.S. dairy community is committed to working closely with the Southeast Asia region’s food and beverage sector to meet evolving consumer demands through collaboration,” said Krysta Harden, USDEC president and CEO. “This year, U.S. dairy suppliers are facing some headwinds in Southeast Asia and elsewhere, due in part to inflation and heightened competition. That makes this an opportune time for this mission and aligns perfectly with why we invested in the U.S. CDE in the first place. Even with challenging market conditions, we want to show that we are here for the long-term to work together and inspire innovation success that drives mutual long-term growth.”

The U.S. CDE provides access to U.S. dairy’s world-class product portfolio, sustainability, technology and the latest consumer research to inspire regionally tailored nutrition, culinary and flavor solutions. The farmer delegation engaged in a range of activities, including:

Delegation members included these farmers from across the United States who serve as board chairs for USDEC and other dairy leadership organizations: Kate Fogler, Maine; Larry Hancock, Texas; Skip Hardie, New York; Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania; Charles Krause, Minnesota; Becky Nyman, California; Alex Peterson, Missouri.

The farmers were joined by the CEO of United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Dwyer Williams; Wisconsin-based managing editor of Hoard’s Dairyman Corey Geiger and executives of USDEC: President and CEO Krysta Harden and COO Martha Scott Poindexter.

U.S. dairy export value rising in region

U.S. dairy export value to Southeast Asia rose 22% to a record $1.68 billion in 2022. In volume terms, the region is the No. 2 U.S. market for nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder and lactose, the No. 4 market for high-value, high-protein whey protein concentrate and a top 10 market for cheese.

“The U.S. is stepping up to meet the dairy needs of Southeast Asia by ensuring high-quality U.S. milk is available for producing delicious, nutritious and functional dairy products and ingredients on a competitive and consistent basis,” said Larry Hancock, a Texas dairy farmer and USDEC’s Chairman of the Board. “U.S. dairy farmers produce more milk per cow and more components per liter of milk – such as butterfat, protein and other skimmed solids – than any other country, thanks to impressive technological innovations, improvements in genetics and feeding optimization.”

The United States held a 28% import market share in Southeast Asia in 2022, up nearly 5 percentage points since 2019.

“The U.S. CDE is an invaluable resource that helps U.S. dairy meet and exceed the high expectations of customers in Southeast Asia,” said Dali Ghazalay, regional director of USDEC Southeast Asia. “We are excited to demonstrate to our farmer leaders in person how their investment in the future of food is empowering the region’s food and beverage stakeholders.”