What is the Export Assistance Program? Strengthening markets at home by selling more products abroad

CWT focuses its resources on achieving the maximum return on its members' investment. Given where world dairy prices currently are in 2009, CWT's management believes the most effective approach to improving farm prices is to utilize herd retirements, as opposed to export assistance. Therefore, the export program will not be utilized in 2009.

The Export Assistance Program helps to strengthen and stabilize U.S. dairy farmer milk prices by assisting CWT member cooperatives in expanding the market for U.S. dairy product overseas. The financial assistance that CWT provides - when conditions indicate it is justified - helps U.S. dairy products to compete in the world market with state trading companies and the subsidized dairy exports of other countries.