USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) data show that the average rate of decrease was 1.0 percent per year over the 2000s. During the 2010s, it was 2.6 percent per year. U.S. per capita consumption of fluid cow’s milk has been decreasing for over 70 years. During the previous decade, it fell at a faster rate than it did during each of the previous six decades.
USDA reports 90 percent of Americans do not consume enough dairy to meet the Federal Dietary Guidelines recommendations. According to the Federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, children aged 2 through 10 years should consume 2 to 3 cup-equivalents of dairy products per day (with specific quantities based on age, gender, and level of physical activity). Individuals older than age 10 should consume 3 cup-equivalents. Consumption is also down as less fluid milk is used on cereal.
While fluid milk consumption also maintained a downward trend through 2020, total dairy product consumption hit a new record last year with increases in ice cream, yogurt, and butter.
