U.S.-Mexico dairy trade generates billions in economic activity
Mexico’s side of NAFTA contributes $1.2 billion in exports and $23.3 billion in economic output, according to a new analysis.
The current free trade agreement with Mexico is the driving force behind $1.2 billion in U.S. dairy exports to the country, as well as billions more in economic contributions, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), citing an analysis released on Feb. 27 by Informa Economics.
Mexico is the No. 1 market for U.S. dairy product exports, accounting for roughly one-fourth of total U.S. exports. In 2016, the most recent year examined by Informa, the United States shipped $1.2 billion worth of dairy products to Mexico, up from $201 million in 2002, the Arlington, Va.-based organizations said. In 2016, Mexico accounted for 45% of total U.S. skim milk powder exports to all destinations, as well as 30% of cheese exports, 10% of butter exports and 8% of whey exports.