Modest Increase in Dairy Product Output

WASHINGTON - May 3/02 - STAT -- The United States recorded a modest increase in dairy product output over March of 2001, according to the latest data compiled by the USDA.

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 717 million pounds, 0.5% above March 2001 and 10.8% above February 2002 American type cheese production totaled 316 million pounds, 6.5% above March 2001 and 10.1% above February 2002.

Butter production was 129 million pounds in March, 15.8% above March 2001 and 2.9% above February 2002.

Frozen dessert: (comparisons with March 2001): Ice cream, Regular (hard) --- 76.7 million gallons, down 0.5%; Ice cream, Lowfat (total) --- 31.2 million gallons, down 11.3%; Ice cream, Nonfat (hard) --- 2.04 million gallons, up 18.9%; Sherbet (hard) --- 4.79 million gallons, up 6.5%; Frozen Yogurt (total) --- 7.18 million gallons, down 2.8%.

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here