By Mark O'Keefe
Global customers are being reassured that the U.S. dairy industry is committed to exporting a continuing supply of safe, sustainable and high-quality products and ingredients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A letter conveying that commitment, signed by U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Tom Vilsack, has been translated into 10 languages and distributed to U.S. dairy customers globally.
"In response to COVID-19, we want to let you know that our U.S. dairy farming community, U.S. dairy suppliers and food-industry professionals remain vigilant and dedicated to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality U.S. dairy products," wrote Vilsack.
The letter expressed solidarity with global customers while acknowledging the pandemic's disruption of global supply chains.
“Stay safe, be well, and know that we are in this together with you and will continue to operate in the best interests for the health and safety of everyone.”
USDEC microsites carry message in multiple languages
The letter is being posted on USDEC microsites in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese-Mandarin, Korean and Arabic.
In addition, employees stationed at USDEC's nine international offices are personally distributing Vilsack's message via email to U.S. customers in their markets.
With the health challenges posed by COVID-19, it is more important than ever for people to eat a healthy, balanced diet, and dairy is a key component of that -- not just for the U.S., but the world.
Exports vital to U.S. dairy industry
The United States is uniquely positioned to provide high-quality dairy nutrition to the world. Tens of thousands of dairy farmers in the U.S. work long hours – 12 months of the year – to keep the milk tankers moving.
In 2019, milk from one out of seven of those tankers was turned into products and ingredients exported to other countries, totaling $6 billion in sales that boosted the U.S. economy, particularly in rural communities.
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