U.S Dairy Export Council

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1995 and managed by Dairy Management Inc., the council represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors, cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, and export traders. USDEC operates as a service-oriented organization with a global presence, maintaining staff and representatives across Mexico, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe to accelerate the success of U.S. dairy exports. While USDEC does not manufacture or sell products directly, it provides critical market access, regulatory affairs guidance, and trade policy advocacy for the U.S. dairy industry. Its comprehensive suite of services includes strategic market insights, export marketing support, and economic data analysis. The organization serves as a vital link for international buyers to source a wide range of U.S. dairy products and ingredients, including cheese, milk powders (NFDM/SMP), whey proteins, lactose, butterfat, milk protein concentrates, permeate, and yogurt. These ingredients support diverse applications in food and beverage manufacturing, foodservice, and specialized nutrition sectors such as infant formula and sports nutrition. Supported by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and dairy farmer checkoff programs, USDEC focuses on expanding global demand and navigating complex international trade environments. The council provides members and global customers with technical resources, including an Export Guide covering tariffs and labeling standards, as well as a U.S. Specialty Cheese Gallery to showcase the industry's premium offerings.