Frozen Dairy Products Output Down

WASHINGTON - Jul 3/02 - SNS -- Dairy product manufacturing activity posted a mixed performance in May, with output in most major product categories up over year earlier levels, while the quantity of frozen deserts made was down.

In its latest review of the dairy product manufacturing activity in the United States, the USDA said total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 724 million pounds, 2.4% above May 2001 and 3.5% above April 2002. American type cheese production totaled 327 million pounds, 6.1% above May 2001 and 3.3% above April 2002.

Butter production was 127 million pounds in May, 14.0% above May 2001 but 4.4% below April 2002.

Frozen dessert: (comparisons with May 2001): Ice cream, Regular (hard) --- 76.9 million gallons, down 4.4%; Ice cream, Lowfat (total) --- 38.9 million gallons, down 6.6%; Ice cream, Nonfat (hard) --- 1.53 million gallons, down 14.3%; Sherbet (hard) --- 5.42 million gallons, up 5.2%; and Frozen Yogurt (total) --- 7.41 million gallons, down 6.0%.

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