Milk Product Output Remains Above Last Year

WASHINGTON - Apr 5/04 - SNS -- Production of most milk products slipped during February, but remained above year earlier levels, judging from the latest USDA data.

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 701 million pounds, 7.2% above February 2003 but 4.8% below January 2004. American type cheese production totaled 299 million pounds, 4.6% above February 2003 but 7.0% below January 2004.

Butter production was 106 million pounds in February, 17.6% below February 2003 and 19.8% below January 2004.

Frozen dessert: (comparisons with February 2003): Ice cream, Regular (hard) --- 65.7 million gallons, down 7.0%; Ice cream, Lowfat (total) --- 27.5 million gallons, up 6.3%; Ice cream, Nonfat (hard) --- 1.54 million gallons, down 9.1%; Sherbet (hard) --- 4.04 million gallons, down 8.3%; and Frozen Yogurt (total) --- 4.64 million gallons, down 15.7%.

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