America can't get enough of protein. The dairy industry can't keep up

America's "protein-maxxing" obsession is stressing the dairy industry.

Whey protein concentrate, once considered a cheap byproduct of the cheese manufacturing process, has become one of the most in-demand ingredients in the American diet. The surge is creating nationwide shortages, with some suppliers sold out for the latter half of the year, according to a USDA report from late April. U.S. whey protein end-of-month inventories have fallen by roughly half since 2023.

"The market remains extremely tight, with product largely unavailable and buyers continuing to report difficulty securing supply," the USDA reported in a June 25 report. As a result, whey protein isolate prices have reached as high as $14 per pound.

With the boom in use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs — which is poised to expand across many more Americans due to Medicare coverage — protein consumption is headed higher at least in the short term. Use of these drugs requires users to increase protein consumption to avoid muscle loss. And that continued expansion of weight-loss drug coverage comes at a time when protein is already in high demand among Americans in many consumable forms.

"It's a multi-dimensional supply exe

Fuente original: CNBC Top News (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/28/america-cant-get-enough-protein-the-dairy-industry-cant-keep-up.html)