DFA reports a $1.1 billion drop in dairy sales during 2018

uring Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo., the cooperative reported that net sales fell by $1.1 billion, a decrease of 7.5% from 2017. For 2018, net sales were totaled at $13.6 billion. The previous year net sales equaled $14.7 billion. According to DFA, the decrease is largely attributed to lower milk prices. The all U.S. milk price was 8.2% lower than the previous year averaging $16.20/cwt paid in 2018 compared with $17.65/cwt in 2017. Milk prices for 2018 were also $0.10/cwt lower compared to 2016 when it averaged $16.30/cwt.Net income for the cooperative was reported at $108.5 million for 2018. The cooperative saw net income drop $18.9 million from 2017 when income was reported at $127.4 million.