Dairy Products ISSN: 1949-0399 Released April 2, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February 2026 Highlights Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.16 billion pounds, 3.9 percent above February 2025 but 9.0 percent below January 2026. Italian type cheese production totaled 506 million pounds, 6.8 percent above February 2025 but 8.8 percent below January 2026. American type cheese production totaled 451 million pounds, 1.9 percent above February 2025 but 9.3 percent below January 2026. Butter production was 221 million pounds, 9.1 percent above February 2025 but 8.2 percent below January 2026. Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with February 2025) Nonfat dry milk, human - 159 million pounds, up 8.7 percent. Skim milk powder - 28.2 million pounds, down 8.3 percent. Whey products (comparisons in percentage with February 2025) Dry whey, total - 67.3 million pounds, up 12.0 percent. Lactose, human and animal - 84.7 million pounds, up 1.0 percent. Whey protein concentrate, total - 38.3 million pounds, up 5.8 percent. Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with February 2025) Ice cream, regular (hard) - 57.6 million gallons, up 3.7 percent. Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 29.6 million gallons, down 2.8 percent. Sherbet (hard) - 1.64 million gallons, up 23.0 percent. Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.06 million gallons, up 2.0 percent. Contents Dairy Products Production by Product - United States: February 2025 and 2026 3 Whey and Modified Whey Products Production, Stocks, and Prices - United States: February 2025 and 2026 4 Condensed and Dry Milk Products Production, Stocks, and Shipments - United States: February 2025 and 2026 5 Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 6 Total Cheese Production Excluding Cottage Cheese - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 13 American Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 14 Cheddar Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 14 Total Italian Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 15 Mozzarella Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 15 Butter Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 16 Nonfat Dry Milk (Human) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 16 Dry Whey (Human) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 17 Ice Cream, Regular (Hard) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 17 Dairy Products Regions 18 Statistical Methodology 19 Information Contacts 20 Dairy Products Production by Product - United States: February 2025 and 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :----------------------------- Product : 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 pounds ------------ ------ percent ----- : Butter .................................: 202,719 240,890 221,199 9.1 -8.2 : Cheese : American types 1/ ....................: 442,498 497,132 451,028 1.9 -9.3 Cheddar ............................: 307,696 351,866 314,734 2.3 -10.6 Other American types ...............: 134,802 145,266 136,294 1.1 -6.2 Blue and Gorgonzola ..................: 6,061 6,410 5,881 -3.0 -8.3 Brick and Muenster ...................: 16,727 18,064 17,001 1.6 -5.9 Cream and Neufchatel .................: 85,930 99,173 85,812 -0.1 -13.5 Feta .................................: 12,108 11,898 11,168 -7.8 -6.1 Gouda ................................: 6,952 7,632 7,392 6.3 -3.1 Hispanic .............................: 35,388 38,586 38,033 7.5 -1.4 Italian types ........................: 474,243 555,424 506,325 6.8 -8.8 Mozzarella .........................: 373,136 431,117 394,759 5.8 -8.4 Parmesan ...........................: 40,250 52,198 48,455 20.4 -7.2 Provolone ..........................: 27,178 32,871 29,834 9.8 -9.2 Ricotta ............................: 20,218 23,347 20,609 1.9 -11.7 Romano .............................: 5,284 4,368 4,164 -21.2 -4.7 Other Italian types ................: 8,177 11,523 8,504 4.0 -26.2 Swiss ................................: 25,017 28,294 26,126 4.4 -7.7 All other types ......................: 11,574 13,077 11,822 2.1 -9.6 : Total cheese 2/ ......................: 1,116,498 1,275,690 1,160,588 3.9 -9.0 : Cottage cheese, curd 3/ ................: 38,019 43,208 40,805 7.3 -5.6 Cottage cheese, cream 4/ ...............: 34,305 41,380 39,221 14.3 -5.2 Cottage cheese, lowfat 5/ ..............: 32,636 36,206 32,775 0.4 -9.5 : Sour cream .............................: 107,063 124,984 115,755 8.1 -7.4 Yogurt, plain and flavored .............: 422,522 439,249 447,024 5.8 1.8 : : ----------- 1,000 gallons ---------- ------ percent ----- : Frozen products : Ice cream, regular, hard .............: 55,577 57,093 57,627 3.7 0.9 Ice cream, lowfat, hard ..............: 16,243 15,831 15,731 -3.2 -0.6 Ice cream, lowfat, soft ..............: 14,193 13,615 13,857 -2.4 1.8 Ice cream, lowfat, total 6/ ..........: 30,436 29,446 29,588 -2.8 0.5 Ice cream, nonfat, hard ..............: 307 335 497 61.9 48.4 Sherbet, hard ........................: 1,332 1,554 1,638 23.0 5.4 Frozen yogurt, total .................: 2,998 2,247 3,059 2.0 36.1 Regular and lowfat, hard ...........: 1,016 982 1,048 3.1 6.7 Nonfat, hard .......................: 183 146 212 15.8 45.2 Other frozen dairy products ..........: 988 989 767 -22.4 -22.4 Water and juice ices .................: 4,603 4,184 4,363 -5.2 4.3 : Mix for frozen products : Ice cream, regular, mix ..............: 34,760 36,266 36,499 5.0 0.6 Ice cream, lowfat, mix 7/ ............: 17,048 16,485 16,577 -2.8 0.6 Ice cream, nonfat, mix ...............: 450 540 611 35.8 13.1 Sherbet mix ..........................: 1,429 1,275 1,441 0.8 13.0 Yogurt mix ...........................: 1,472 1,334 1,514 2.9 13.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes Cheddar, Colby, washed curd, stirred curd, Monterey, and Jack. 2/ Excludes Cottage Cheese. 3/ Mostly used for processing into cream or lowfat cottage cheese. 4/ Fat content 4 percent or more. 5/ Fat content less than 4 percent. 6/ Includes freezer-made milkshake. 7/ Includes milkshake mix. Whey and Modified Whey Products Production, Stocks, and Prices - United States: February 2025 and 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :----------------------------- Product : 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ----------- ------ percent ----- Condensed whey, solids content 1/ : Sweet-type, human ....................: 11,788 10,277 10,117 -14.2 -1.6 : Dry whey products : Dry whey, human ......................: 57,351 76,152 66,732 16.4 -12.4 Dry whey, animal .....................: 2,759 1,471 591 -78.6 -59.8 Dry whey, total ......................: 60,110 77,623 67,323 12.0 -13.3 : Reduced Lactose and minerals : Human and animal .....................: 3,755 3,417 2,978 -20.7 -12.8 : Whey protein concentrate : Human 2/ .............................: 35,836 39,348 36,982 3.2 -6.0 Animal 2/ ............................: 354 1,016 1,325 274.3 30.4 Total 2/ .............................: 36,190 40,364 38,307 5.8 -5.1 25.0-49.9 percent 3/ ...............: 8,339 8,288 7,886 -5.4 -4.9 50.0-89.9 percent 3/ ...............: 27,851 32,076 30,421 9.2 -5.2 : Whey protein isolates 4/ ...............: 15,849 19,063 17,563 10.8 -7.9 : Lactose, human and animal ..............: 83,824 95,920 84,650 1.0 -11.7 : Manufacturers' stocks end of month 5/ : Dry whey products : Dry whey, human ......................: 60,315 61,645 57,233 -5.1 -7.2 Dry whey, animal .....................: 2,357 930 895 -62.0 -3.8 Dry whey, total ......................: 62,672 62,575 58,128 -7.3 -7.1 : Reduced Lactose and minerals : Human and animal 6/ ...................: 6,440 4,835 4,869 -24.4 0.7 : Whey protein concentrate : Human 2/ .............................: 54,594 44,610 43,693 -20.0 -2.1 Animal 2/ ............................: 725 2,197 1,651 127.7 -24.9 Total 2/ .............................: 55,319 46,807 45,344 -18.0 -3.1 25.0-49.9 percent 3/ ...............: 21,505 15,622 15,174 -29.4 -2.9 50.0-89.9 percent 3/ ...............: 33,814 31,185 30,170 -10.8 -3.3 : Whey protein isolates 4/ ...............: 15,267 16,737 15,544 1.8 -7.1 : Lactose, human and animal ..............: 96,854 98,521 97,984 1.2 -0.5 : --------- cents per pound -------- --- cents change -- : Manufacturers' selling price 7/ : Dry whey, animal .......................: 30.8 40.8 40.8 10.0 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Final marketable product only. Does not include quantity used or shipped to another plant for further processing into dry whey or modified whey products. Does not include sweet-type, animal whey. 2/ Whey protein concentrate, 25.0 to 89.9 percent. 3/ Whey protein concentrate, human and animal. 4/ Whey protein isolate, 90.0 percent or greater. 5/ Stocks held by manufacturers at all points and in transit. 6/ Reduced lactose and minerals stocks combined to avoid disclosure of individual operations. 7/ Prices for bulk goods, f.o.b. plant. Average monthly prices reported by firms. Condensed and Dry Milk Products Production, Stocks, and Shipments - United States: February 2025 and 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :----------------------------- Product : 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 pounds ----------- ------ percent ----- Production : Bulk condensed milk : Skim, unsweetened ....................: 111,462 107,236 109,378 -1.9 2.0 : Dry milk products : Dry buttermilk, total ................: 14,229 13,664 10,692 -24.9 -21.8 Dry skim milk, animal ................: 526 708 631 20.0 -10.9 Dry whole milk .......................: 12,726 12,260 10,333 -18.8 -15.7 Milk protein concentrate, total 1/ ...: 28,031 27,829 22,969 -18.1 -17.5 Nonfat dry milk, human ...............: 146,611 151,434 159,310 8.7 5.2 Skim milk powder, total 2/ ...........: 30,762 47,134 28,223 -8.3 -40.1 : Manufacturers' stocks end-of-month 3/ : Dry milk products : Dry buttermilk, total ................: 29,387 24,776 21,576 -26.6 -12.9 Dry skim milk, animal ................: 5,511 3,363 2,476 -55.1 -26.4 Dry whole milk .......................: 16,574 20,371 18,668 12.6 -8.4 Nonfat dry milk, human ...............: 250,281 213,039 220,317 -12.0 3.4 : Manufacturers' shipments 4/ : Dry milk products : Nonfat dry milk, human ...............: 114,813 148,388 149,853 30.5 1.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Dry milk protein concentrate, 40-89.9 percent. 2/ Includes protein standardized and blends. 3/ Stocks held by manufacturers at all points and in transit. 4/ For dry products, shipments of bulk goods. Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :--- 1,000 pounds -- percent --- 1,000 pounds --- percent Total cheese 1/ : January ......................:1,220,583 1,275,690 4.5 1,220,583 1,275,690 4.5 February .....................:1,116,498 1,160,588 3.9 2,337,081 2,436,278 4.2 March ........................:1,234,197 3,571,278 April ........................:1,234,932 4,806,210 May ..........................:1,251,908 6,058,118 June .........................:1,203,603 7,261,721 July .........................:1,216,644 8,478,365 August .......................:1,202,079 9,680,444 September ....................:1,215,718 10,896,162 October ......................:1,261,313 12,157,475 November .....................:1,224,436 13,381,911 December .....................:1,276,368 14,658,279 : Total American cheese types 2/ : January ......................: 481,440 497,132 3.3 481,440 497,132 3.3 February .....................: 442,498 451,028 1.9 923,938 948,160 2.6 March ........................: 499,929 1,423,867 April ........................: 495,470 1,919,337 May ..........................: 509,117 2,428,454 June .........................: 473,977 2,902,431 July .........................: 481,556 3,383,987 August .......................: 473,888 3,857,875 September ....................: 474,067 4,331,942 October ......................: 492,167 4,824,109 November .....................: 473,117 5,297,226 December .....................: 500,028 5,797,254 : Cheddar cheese : January ......................: 328,960 351,866 7.0 328,960 351,866 7.0 February .....................: 307,696 314,734 2.3 636,656 666,600 4.7 March ........................: 349,089 985,745 April ........................: 340,841 1,326,586 May ..........................: 355,437 1,682,023 June .........................: 332,003 2,014,026 July .........................: 330,803 2,344,829 August .......................: 323,188 2,668,017 September ....................: 325,274 2,993,291 October ......................: 328,278 3,321,569 November .....................: 322,291 3,643,860 December .....................: 345,076 3,988,936 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 pounds percent --- 1,000 pounds -- percent Total Italian cheese types : January ......................: 520,335 555,424 6.7 520,335 555,424 6.7 February .....................: 474,243 506,325 6.8 994,578 1,061,749 6.8 March ........................: 523,416 1,517,994 April ........................: 522,584 2,040,578 May ..........................: 522,351 2,562,929 June .........................: 510,302 3,073,231 July .........................: 515,826 3,589,057 August .......................: 510,288 4,099,345 September ....................: 516,220 4,615,565 October ......................: 540,623 5,156,188 November .....................: 533,279 5,689,467 December .....................: 563,262 6,252,729 : Mozzarella : January ......................: 411,987 431,117 4.6 411,987 431,117 4.6 February .....................: 373,136 394,759 5.8 785,123 825,876 5.2 March ........................: 411,172 1,196,295 April ........................: 415,337 1,611,632 May ..........................: 413,101 2,024,733 June .........................: 404,783 2,429,516 July .........................: 407,309 2,836,825 August .......................: 404,800 3,241,625 September ....................: 403,451 3,645,076 October ......................: 421,707 4,066,783 November .....................: 421,881 4,488,664 December .....................: 440,366 4,929,030 : Other Italian cheese types : January ......................: 7,956 11,523 44.8 7,956 11,523 44.8 February .....................: 8,177 8,504 4.0 16,133 20,027 24.1 March ........................: 8,732 24,865 April ........................: 8,765 33,630 May ..........................: 7,316 40,946 June .........................: 6,485 47,431 July .........................: 8,140 55,571 August .......................: 8,229 63,800 September ....................: 9,579 73,379 October ......................: 9,607 82,986 November .....................: 10,775 93,761 December .....................: 10,981 104,742 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 pounds percent -- 1,000 pounds -- percent Butter : January ......................: 218,242 240,890 10.4 218,242 240,890 10.4 February .....................: 202,719 221,199 9.1 420,961 462,089 9.8 March ........................: 229,024 649,985 April ........................: 214,433 864,418 May ..........................: 211,949 1,076,367 June .........................: 188,330 1,264,697 July .........................: 178,326 1,443,023 August .......................: 173,200 1,616,223 September ....................: 179,133 1,795,356 October ......................: 186,193 1,981,549 November .....................: 177,238 2,158,787 December .....................: 207,522 2,366,309 : Nonfat dry milk, human : January ......................: 154,663 151,434 -2.1 154,663 151,434 -2.1 February .....................: 146,611 159,310 8.7 301,274 310,744 3.1 March ........................: 168,003 469,277 April ........................: 162,873 632,150 May ..........................: 156,267 788,417 June .........................: 140,491 928,908 July .........................: 128,617 1,057,525 August .......................: 122,755 1,180,280 September ....................: 118,231 1,298,511 October ......................: 120,644 1,419,155 November .....................: 108,017 1,527,172 December .....................: 127,362 1,654,534 : Skim milk powder, total 3/ : January ......................: 34,514 47,134 36.6 34,514 47,134 36.6 February .....................: 30,762 28,223 -8.3 65,276 75,357 15.4 March ........................: 33,980 99,256 April ........................: 35,471 134,727 May ..........................: 47,322 182,049 June .........................: 56,746 238,795 July .........................: 44,361 283,156 August .......................: 42,317 325,473 September ....................: 43,705 369,178 October ......................: 35,511 404,689 November .....................: 40,517 445,206 December .....................: 50,146 495,352 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 pounds percent -- 1,000 pounds -- percent Dry whey, total 4/ : January ......................: 71,962 77,623 7.9 71,962 77,623 7.9 February .....................: 60,110 67,323 12.0 132,072 144,946 9.7 March ........................: 70,748 202,820 April ........................: 69,603 272,423 May ..........................: 71,549 343,972 June .........................: 75,723 419,695 July .........................: 69,809 489,504 August .......................: 68,291 557,795 September ....................: 69,106 626,901 October ......................: 67,885 694,786 November .....................: 64,072 758,858 December .....................: 72,696 831,554 : Lactose, human and animal : January ......................: 93,082 95,920 3.0 93,082 95,920 3.0 February .....................: 83,824 84,650 1.0 176,906 180,570 2.1 March ........................: 100,368 277,274 April ........................: 95,059 372,333 May ..........................: 98,067 470,400 June .........................: 94,925 565,325 July .........................: 95,978 661,303 August .......................: 94,185 755,488 September ....................: 94,051 849,539 October ......................: 89,885 939,424 November .....................: 86,891 1,026,315 December .....................: 97,301 1,123,616 : Whey protein concentrate, total : January ......................: 38,597 40,364 4.6 38,597 40,364 4.6 February .....................: 36,190 38,307 5.8 74,787 78,671 5.2 March ........................: 42,310 117,097 April ........................: 42,124 159,221 May ..........................: 41,794 201,015 June .........................: 42,955 243,970 July .........................: 40,977 284,947 August .......................: 40,430 325,377 September ....................: 42,190 367,567 October ......................: 41,710 409,277 November .....................: 42,280 451,557 December .....................: 46,628 498,185 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 pounds percent -- 1,000 pounds -- percent Cottage cheese, cream : January ......................: 39,893 41,380 3.7 39,893 41,380 3.7 February .....................: 34,305 39,221 14.3 74,198 80,601 8.6 March ........................: 39,291 113,489 April ........................: 37,486 150,975 May ..........................: 39,019 189,994 June .........................: 39,457 229,451 July .........................: 40,070 269,521 August .......................: 38,999 308,520 September ....................: 39,124 347,644 October ......................: 41,091 388,735 November .....................: 37,438 426,173 December .....................: 39,377 465,550 : Cottage cheese, lowfat : January ......................: 31,752 36,206 14.0 31,752 36,206 14.0 February .....................: 32,636 32,775 0.4 64,388 68,981 7.1 March ........................: 37,853 102,241 April ........................: 32,186 134,427 May ..........................: 33,247 167,674 June .........................: 34,140 201,814 July .........................: 36,595 238,409 August .......................: 36,226 274,635 September ....................: 35,627 310,262 October ......................: 36,429 346,691 November .....................: 34,825 381,516 December .....................: 33,778 415,294 : Sour cream : January ......................: 133,957 124,984 -6.7 133,957 124,984 -6.7 February .....................: 107,063 115,755 8.1 241,020 240,739 -0.1 March ........................: 120,999 362,019 April ........................: 125,615 487,634 May ..........................: 129,945 617,579 June .........................: 121,866 739,445 July .........................: 126,399 865,844 August .......................: 123,503 989,347 September ....................: 123,154 1,112,501 October ......................: 137,540 1,250,041 November .....................: 133,972 1,384,013 December .....................: 135,830 1,519,843 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 gallons percent 1,000 gallons percent Ice cream, regular hard : January ......................: 59,544 57,093 -4.1 59,544 57,093 -4.1 February .....................: 55,577 57,627 3.7 115,121 114,720 -0.3 March ........................: 60,239 175,360 April ........................: 62,484 237,844 May ..........................: 64,369 302,213 June .........................: 64,893 367,106 July .........................: 69,636 436,742 August .......................: 66,104 502,846 September ....................: 58,684 561,530 October ......................: 60,226 621,756 November .....................: 49,792 671,548 December .....................: 48,898 720,446 : Ice cream, lowfat total : January ......................: 29,232 29,446 0.7 29,232 29,446 0.7 February .....................: 30,436 29,588 -2.8 59,668 59,034 -1.1 March ........................: 35,447 95,115 April ........................: 38,068 133,183 May ..........................: 38,347 171,530 June .........................: 38,806 210,336 July .........................: 39,072 249,408 August .......................: 35,252 284,660 September ....................: 32,475 317,135 October ......................: 31,482 348,617 November .....................: 24,214 372,831 December .....................: 23,492 396,323 : Sherbet, hard : January ......................: 1,550 1,554 0.3 1,550 1,554 0.3 February .....................: 1,332 1,638 23.0 2,882 3,192 10.8 March ........................: 1,497 4,379 April ........................: 1,652 6,031 May ..........................: 1,671 7,702 June .........................: 1,876 9,578 July .........................: 1,754 11,332 August .......................: 1,748 13,080 September ....................: 1,450 14,530 October ......................: 1,756 16,286 November .....................: 1,428 17,714 December .....................: 1,437 19,151 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Dairy Products Production by Product and Month - United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued) [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative Product and month :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : Change : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : from : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : 2025 : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 pounds percent -- 1,000 pounds -- percent Yogurt, plain and flavored : January ......................: 420,826 439,249 4.4 420,826 439,249 4.4 February .....................: 422,522 447,024 5.8 843,348 886,273 5.1 March ........................: 465,478 1,308,826 April ........................: 454,329 1,763,155 May ..........................: 433,591 2,196,746 June .........................: 438,543 2,635,289 July .........................: 448,111 3,083,400 August .......................: 449,117 3,532,517 September ....................: 453,105 3,985,622 October ......................: 448,268 4,433,890 November .....................: 416,117 4,850,007 December .....................: 418,051 5,268,058 : : 1,000 gallons percent 1,000 gallons percent : Frozen yogurt, total : January ......................: 3,825 2,247 -41.3 3,825 2,247 -41.3 February .....................: 2,998 3,059 2.0 6,823 5,306 -22.2 March ........................: 3,805 10,628 April ........................: 2,971 13,599 May ..........................: 4,124 17,723 June .........................: 3,520 21,243 July .........................: 3,553 24,796 August .......................: 3,444 28,240 September ....................: 2,568 30,808 October ......................: 2,884 33,692 November .....................: 2,418 36,110 December .....................: 2,740 38,850 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Excludes Cottage Cheese. 2/ Includes Cheddar, Colby, washed curd, stirred curd, Monterey, and Jack. 3/ Includes protein standardized and blends. 4/ Excludes all modified dry whey products. Total Cheese Production Excluding Cottage Cheese - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 pounds ----------- --- percent --- : California .....: 200,619 207,239 185,825 -7.4 -10.3 Idaho ..........: 76,064 91,362 80,142 5.4 -12.3 Illinois .......: 6,649 9,221 8,815 32.6 -4.4 Iowa ...........: 29,328 33,103 29,889 1.9 -9.7 Minnesota ......: 62,875 76,162 69,493 10.5 -8.8 New Jersey .....: 7,719 8,659 7,822 1.3 -9.7 New Mexico .....: 67,082 76,151 69,936 4.3 -8.2 New York .......: 64,909 83,865 72,474 11.7 -13.6 Ohio ...........: 19,690 22,825 19,785 0.5 -13.3 Pennsylvania ...: 34,884 39,189 36,319 4.1 -7.3 Vermont ........: 11,507 13,228 11,254 -2.2 -14.9 Wisconsin ......: 282,102 311,207 284,192 0.7 -8.7 : Other States 1/ : 253,070 303,479 284,642 12.5 -6.2 : United States ..: 1,116,498 1,275,690 1,160,588 3.9 -9.0 : Atlantic .......: 123,642 149,353 132,319 7.0 -11.4 Central ........: 557,036 655,768 602,632 8.2 -8.1 West ...........: 435,820 470,569 425,637 -2.3 -9.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. American Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 42,763 49,962 45,654 6.8 -8.6 Iowa ...........: 14,225 15,331 12,651 -11.1 -17.5 Minnesota ......: 53,680 66,209 60,844 13.3 -8.1 New York .......: 14,071 18,883 17,823 26.7 -5.6 Wisconsin ......: 87,315 88,477 79,454 -9.0 -10.2 : Other States 1/ : 230,444 258,270 234,602 1.8 -9.2 : United States ..: 442,498 497,132 451,028 1.9 -9.3 : Atlantic .......: 24,352 30,626 28,173 15.7 -8.0 Central ........: 251,807 282,227 258,959 2.8 -8.2 West ...........: 166,339 184,279 163,896 -1.5 -11.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Cheddar Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 20,074 25,376 24,255 20.8 -4.4 Vermont ........: 8,685 10,292 8,876 2.2 -13.8 Wisconsin ......: 59,472 57,810 49,147 -17.4 -15.0 : Other States 1/ : 219,465 258,388 232,456 5.9 -10.0 : United States ..: 307,696 351,866 314,734 2.3 -10.6 : Atlantic .......: 22,244 27,910 25,364 14.0 -9.1 Central ........: 175,336 201,702 180,520 3.0 -10.5 West ...........: 110,116 122,254 108,850 -1.1 -11.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Total Italian Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 139,199 139,119 122,122 -12.3 -12.2 Minnesota ......: 9,023 9,832 8,487 -5.9 -13.7 New Jersey .....: 4,540 5,905 4,633 2.0 -21.5 New York .......: 25,118 29,364 27,526 9.6 -6.3 Pennsylvania ...: 21,910 24,438 22,811 4.1 -6.7 Wisconsin ......: 133,409 158,665 147,048 10.2 -7.3 : Other States 1/ : 141,044 188,101 173,698 23.2 -7.7 : United States ..: 474,243 555,424 506,325 6.8 -8.8 : Atlantic .......: 54,597 62,998 58,018 6.3 -7.9 Central ........: 195,906 254,602 235,184 20.0 -7.6 West ...........: 223,740 237,824 213,123 -4.7 -10.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Mozzarella Cheese Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 127,018 125,081 111,093 -12.5 -11.2 New Jersey .....: 2,867 3,946 2,951 2.9 -25.2 New York .......: 11,888 12,177 12,434 4.6 2.1 Pennsylvania ...: 17,746 20,443 18,774 5.8 -8.2 Wisconsin ......: 84,926 97,596 89,729 5.7 -8.1 : Other States 1/ : 128,691 171,874 159,778 24.2 -7.0 : United States ..: 373,136 431,117 394,759 5.8 -8.4 : Atlantic .......: 34,098 38,130 35,774 4.9 -6.2 Central ........: 128,010 170,772 157,992 23.4 -7.5 West ...........: 211,028 222,215 200,993 -4.8 -9.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Butter Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 56,756 66,751 61,102 7.7 -8.5 Pennsylvania ...: 7,465 7,441 5,737 -23.1 -22.9 : Other States 1/ : 138,498 166,698 154,360 11.5 -7.4 : United States ..: 202,719 240,890 221,199 9.1 -8.2 : Atlantic .......: 16,657 15,583 14,306 -14.1 -8.2 Central ........: 88,121 105,449 97,285 10.4 -7.7 West ...........: 97,941 119,858 109,608 11.9 -8.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Nonfat Dry Milk (Human) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 69,417 74,429 81,782 17.8 9.9 Pennsylvania ...: 11,937 10,978 10,011 -16.1 -8.8 : Other States 1/ : 65,257 66,027 67,517 3.5 2.3 : United States ..: 146,611 151,434 159,310 8.7 5.2 : Atlantic .......: 23,356 19,980 18,668 -20.1 -6.6 Central ........: 26,452 30,715 30,067 13.7 -2.1 West ...........: 96,803 100,739 110,575 14.2 9.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Dry Whey (Human) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 pounds ---------- ---- percent --- : New York .......: 6,960 11,028 10,816 55.4 -1.9 Wisconsin ......: 20,832 22,416 22,900 9.9 2.2 : Other States 1/ : 29,559 42,708 33,016 11.7 -22.7 : United States ..: 57,351 76,152 66,732 16.4 -12.4 : Atlantic .......: 15,280 21,039 19,058 24.7 -9.4 Central ........: 29,323 40,293 39,467 34.6 -2.0 West ...........: 12,748 14,820 8,207 -35.6 -44.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. Ice Cream, Regular (Hard) Production - States, United States, and Regions: February 2025 and 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Change from : February : January : February :--------------------- State and region: 2025 : 2026 : 2026 : February : January : : : : 2025 : 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 gallons --------- ---- percent --- : California .....: 5,675 5,386 5,827 2.7 8.2 Connecticut ....: 647 695 677 4.6 -2.6 New York .......: 1,811 1,817 1,880 3.8 3.5 Ohio ...........: 2,428 2,040 2,138 -11.9 4.8 Pennsylvania ...: 2,350 2,833 2,440 3.8 -13.9 Utah ...........: 1,296 1,427 1,410 8.8 -1.2 Wisconsin ......: 848 902 804 -5.2 -10.9 : Other States 1/ : 40,522 41,993 42,451 4.8 1.1 : United States ..: 55,577 57,093 57,627 3.7 0.9 : Atlantic .......: 11,002 10,933 11,790 7.2 7.8 Central ........: 34,170 36,295 35,372 3.5 -2.5 West ...........: 10,405 9,865 10,465 0.6 6.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ States not shown when fewer than 3 plants reported or individual plant operations could be disclosed. West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Central: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. Atlantic: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. Statistical Methodology Data Collection Period: Dairy products estimates are based upon survey data collected after the close of each month. Production data are provided by the firms producing dairy products. Sampling frames and sample size: In 2024, there were 1,183 manufacturers that produced one or more dairy products. In states with small numbers of plants, reports are received from all plants each month. In states with large numbers of plants, survey procedures are designed to obtain monthly reports from all large plants and from a sample of small plants. In some states, the State Departments of Agriculture assist in collection of data, which eliminates duplicate reporting and reduces respondent burden. Modes of data collection: Data are collected by mail, personal and telephone interviews, facsimile, and via electronic mail. Terms and definitions: Firms complete the questionnaire using standard industry definitions and through the aid of instructions and definitions provided on the questionnaire. Reliability: Data for the Dairy Products report are collected by a Census of all known manufacturers of dairy products in the United States. Firms producing large quantities of dairy products, along with a sample of smaller firms, are contacted monthly to collect previous month production data. Those small firms not contacted monthly are contacted after the close of the year to obtain previous year production. Production of products at small firms not contacted monthly are estimated during the monthly survey based upon check data, and state and national trends. Small firms are defined as those that do not make up a significant portion of the published total. Plants storing nonfat dry milk and dry whey are required under Federal law as defined in Public Laws 106-532 and 107-171 to complete the Dairy Products report. Plants storing these items are contacted monthly. Additionally, many state governments have mandated that dairy plants in their state complete the Dairy Products report each month. Because the Dairy Products survey is a census, sampling error should not affect the final estimates, however non-sampling errors are possible. Estimating Procedures: In the Regional Field Office (RFO), data reported by firms are reviewed for reasonableness and consistency by comparing with data reported in prior months and by data reported by other firms in the State. Each RFO summarizes data at the Individual State level. State estimates are submitted to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) along with supporting comments where they are compared with surrounding states, their region, and national trends. During both RFO and ASB review, plants are sometimes contacted again for further verification of numbers reported. After ASB review, RFO data are summarized into a National level summary. Revision Policy: Monthly estimates are subject to revision the month following the preliminary estimates. Annual estimates are published in late April in the Dairy Products Yearly Summary report which includes any revisions made to previous 2 years of estimates. Revisions are generally due to plant data that are received too late to be included in the current report. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch................................................ (202) 692-0069 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter............................................. (202) 690-8632 Tiffany Byrne - Dairy Products...................................................... (651) 440-7789 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed................................................. (202) 720-3040 Kim DaPra - Milk Production......................................................... (202) 720-3278 Fatema Haque - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised................... (202) 720-3244 Derron Martin - Catfish, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Trout................. (202) 690-3237 Ralph Mondesir - Hogs and Pigs...................................................... (202) 720-3106 Suzanne Richards - Cost of Pollination, Honey, Honey Bee Colonies, Sheep and Goats.. (202) 720-4448 Shulonda Shaw - Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses, Cold Storage................... (202) 720-3240 Autumn Stone - Layers, Eggs......................................................... (202) 690-3676 Takiyah Walker - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery................................. (202) 720-6147 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. The national specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. 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