The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) – South America Office serves as the regional hub for the promotion of U.S. dairy products and expertise in Brazil and neighboring countries. Based in São Paulo, USDEC supports trade development, technical education, regulatory alignment, and business matchmaking between U.S. dairy suppliers and Latin American food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice operators.
Organization Overview
Founded in 1995, the U.S. Dairy Export Council is a non-profit, membership-based organization representing the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, processors, cooperatives, and export traders. USDEC operates under the leadership of Dairy Management Inc. and is funded through the dairy checkoff program, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) market development funds, and membership dues.
The South America regional office in São Paulo serves as a key contact point for stakeholders in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru seeking access to high-quality U.S. dairy ingredients, technical support, and market insights.
Core Services & Functions
1. Trade Facilitation
- Business matchmaking between Latin American importers and U.S. exporters
- Delegation support for trade shows such as ANUFOOD, FISPAL, and SIAL
- Virtual trade missions and online B2B events
2. Technical Support & Innovation
- Dairy formulation guidance for bakery, beverage, confectionery, and ready-meal sectors
- Support with milk powder, whey proteins, cheese applications, and functional dairy blends
- Training sessions for R&D professionals on U.S. dairy functionalities
3. Regulatory & Policy Engagement
- Liaison with ANVISA and MAPA for regulatory harmonization
- Import documentation and tariff classification assistance
- Monitoring of trade policies and advocacy for science-based standards
4. Market Intelligence
- Industry reports and usage trends of dairy in Latin America
- Competitive benchmarking and ingredient performance data
- Customized reports on consumer behavior and product innovation
5. Promotion & Localization
- Development of Brazil-centric dairy campaigns (e.g., bakery, pizza, fitness nutrition)
- Portuguese-language recipe development using U.S. dairy
- Translation and adaptation of U.S. dairy educational materials
U.S. Dairy Product Categories Promoted
- Milk Powders (SMP, WMP, NFDM)
- Whey Proteins (WPC, WPI, Permeate)
- Cheese Varieties (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, American)
- Butter & AMF
- Dairy Blends & Formulated Ingredients
- Lactose & Derivatives
Regional Engagement & Achievements
- São Paulo Office Contact: usdec@riverglobal.net | +55 (11) 2528‑5829
- Languages Offered: Portuguese, Spanish, English
- Coverage: Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru
- Trade Events Hosted in 2023:
- U.S. Dairy Innovation Seminar – São Paulo
- Online Ingredient Solutions Expo – LATAM
- Brazil Pizza Forum – Promoting U.S. Mozzarella
- 2022-2023 Participation Growth: +36% increase in Brazilian companies engaging with USDEC programs
- U.S. Dairy Exports to Brazil (2023): Over $93 million, a 22% YoY increase
- Top Export Products to Brazil: SMP, WPC80, Lactose, Cheddar, Mozzarella
Industry Impact
The U.S. Dairy Export Council has become a central voice for promoting functional, affordable, and versatile dairy ingredients in South America. In Brazil, the office partners with local food associations, culinary institutes, and universities to promote science-based dairy applications and boost usage across categories such as:
- Functional beverages and sports nutrition
- Processed cheese and pizza
- Bakery and snack innovation
- Confectionery fillings and coatings
- Nutritional blends and supplements
Educational & Research Initiatives
- ThinkUSA Dairy Platform: Technical resources and formulation guides in Portuguese
- Webinars & Workshops: Nutrition-focused events for health professionals
- University Partnerships: Engagement with food science departments in Brazil and Chile
- Consumer Insights Reports: Annual LATAM Dairy Perception Tracker
Strategic Outlook
- Sustainability Storytelling: Promoting U.S. dairy’s environmental stewardship to Brazilian manufacturers
- Market Expansion: Greater penetration in Northeast Brazil and Andean markets
- Recipe Innovation Hub: Launching LATAM-focused dairy recipe platform
- Cheese Promotion Campaigns: Highlighting U.S. mozzarella and cheddar in QSR and frozen foods
- Trade Policy Advocacy: Reducing non-tariff barriers and streamlining import protocols
With a data-backed approach, localized strategy, and deep understanding of the LATAM market, USDEC’s South America Office continues to expand the reach and impact of U.S. dairy—strengthening supply chains, supporting innovation, and driving demand in Brazil and beyond.
