Innovating with the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence (U.S. CDE)

The U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence (U.S. CDE) was established in Singapore in 2020 by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to deliver Southeast Asia-friendly nutrition, marketing and innovation solutions. Funded by U.S. dairy farmers and processors, U.S. CDE is an investment in Southeast Asia’s future and paves the way for strengthening partnerships in the region.

The state-of-the-art facility is a one-stop resource hub and collaboration space for U.S. dairy customers, health professionals and other partners to explore and experience the essence of U.S. Dairy. It is a destination for gaining ideation sparks for U.S. dairy menus and applications, actionable consumer insights, and business-relevant updates on market trends, nutrition research, environmental sustainability initiatives, and more.

U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence Features

Demonstration Kitchen

Experience the innovation possibilities with U.S. dairy ingredients and cheeses. From baking to cooking, this is where exciting, Southeast Asia-friendly menu and application development happens.

Demonstration Kitchen

Experience the innovation possibilities with U.S. ...

Dynamic Programming

Embrace business possibilities and harness your curiosity and creativity, as subject matter experts share their expertise through seminars, workshops and technical training on wide-ranging topics.

Dynamic Programming

Embrace business possibilities and harness your cu...

Broadcast Capabilities

Ensure you catch every detail of our kitchen demonstrations whether viewed in person or online. Our high-definition projection monitors and video streaming capabilities deliver a close-up experience.

Broadcast Capabilities

Ensure you catch every detail of our kitchen demon...

Health and Nutrition

Expand your knowledge of the latest science on dairy’s unique nutrient package and role in addressing public health concerns in the ASEAN region, such as the double burden of malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Health and Nutrition

Expand your knowledge of the latest science on dai...

Meeting & Video Conferencing Rooms

Engage and collaborate with USDEC and U.S. suppliers to co-create winning products and menus. Rooms are equipped for remote engagement via video conferencing.

Meeting & Video Conferencing Rooms

Engage and collaborate with USDEC and U.S. supplie...

Sensory Lab

Evaluate consumer preferences and measure product appeal to deliver optimal tastes and textures with U.S. dairy.

Sensory Lab

Evaluate consumer preferences and measure product ...

Market and Consumer Research

Uncover actionable insights into consumer lifestyles, attitudes, purchasing behavior, and more — offering strategic advantages attuned to local needs.

Market and Consumer Research

Uncover actionable insights into consumer lifestyl...

USDEC Staff

With staff located around the region for in-market assistance, those based in Singapore call U.S. CDE home.

USDEC Staff

With staff located around the region for in-market...

Demonstration Kitchen

Experience the innovation possibilities with U.S. dairy ingredients and cheeses. From baking to cooking, this is where exciting, Southeast Asia-friendly menu and application development happens.

Dynamic Programming

Embrace business possibilities and harness your curiosity and creativity, as subject matter experts share their expertise through seminars, workshops and technical training on wide-ranging topics.

Broadcast Capabilities

Ensure you catch every detail of our kitchen demonstrations whether viewed in person or online. Our high-definition projection monitors and video streaming capabilities deliver a close-up experience.

Health and Nutrition

Meeting & Video Conferencing Rooms

Engage and collaborate with USDEC and U.S. suppliers to co-create winning products and menus. Rooms are equipped for remote engagement via video conferencing.

Sensory Lab

Evaluate consumer preferences and measure product appeal to deliver optimal tastes and textures with U.S. dairy.

Market and Consumer Research

Uncover actionable insights into consumer lifestyles, attitudes, purchasing behavior, and more — offering strategic advantages attuned to local needs.

USDEC Staff

With staff located around the region for in-market assistance, those based in Singapore call U.S. CDE home.

USDEC Southeast Asia Milestones

The launch of the U.S. CDE in 2020 begins an exciting new chapter for U.S. Dairy in Southeast Asia, a key milestone on a journey which began more than two decades ago. Explore this interactive timeline to see how our regional presence has deepened and evolved along the way, supporting nutrition, innovation and customers’ business growth and success.

Total Value US$63 million

USDEC initiates presence in Southeast Asia, opening an office in Bangkok, Thailand to connect with the region and better understand how U.S. Dairy can help meet local needs and demands. U.S. Dairy exports to the region total US$63 million.

1998

1999

Market development programs, including whey buyers’ mission to the U.S., introduce dairy ingredients’ (especially whey and milk powder) functionality to end-users as well as educate suppliers about opportunities in the region. USDEC’s participation in prominent regional trade shows including Food Ingredients Asia helps grow relationships between buyers and sellers.

Total Value US$92 million

A significant growth in U.S. dairy exports brings the year-end total to US$92 million.

2000

2002

Participation in the Food and Hotel Asia show furthers engagement with the region’s customers, introducing the wide variety of high-quality cheeses from the U.S. USDEC trade missions bring cheese and milk powder buyers to the U.S. to better understand U.S. Dairy's advantageous portfolio.

Total Value US$256 million

Building on continued interest in opportunities with U.S. Dairy, the industry records US$256 million in exports to the region.

2005

2006

USDEC opens a second office in Southeast Asia to further deliver on diverse market needs in the region, establishing a team in Vietnam.

Total Value US$696 million

Growth in exports hits a new record high of US$696 million.

2010

2014

USDEC Southeast Asia base moves from Bangkok to Singapore. Programming expands focus on innovation to help end users capitalize on the breadth of local product development opportunities. USDEC kicks off permeate technical training efforts, introducing exciting opportunities with the versatile ingredient.

Total Value US$848 million

The value of exports to Southeast Asia continues to grow, reaching US$848 million. USDEC hosts its first U.S. Dairy Business Conference in SEA (Singapore), embarking on a path for closer connection with customers, academia, and key influencers.

2015

2016

USDEC begins nutrition and health professional engagement programs in Southeast Asia, marked by the first U.S. Dairy Nutrition Conference hosted in Bali, Indonesia. Emphasis on health and wellness dovetails with growing consumer health consciousness in the region as well as the public health importance of addressing the double burden of malnutrition.

USDEC initiated two key strategic partnerships in the region, partnering with Food Innovation and Resource Centre at Singapore Polytechnic to deepen dairy knowledge and develop innovative food products for the Southeast Asian market as well as partnering with the World Gourmet Summit to showcase culinary innovations with delicious U.S. cheeses.

2018

2020

Total Value US$1.26 billion

The U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence opens in Singapore, USDEC’s first overseas physical investment beginning a new chapter in future-minded innovation in the region. U.S. dairy exports to Southeast Asia exceed US$1.26 billion in value, a new all-time record.

Total Value US$1.68 billion

First in-person workshops held at the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence with customers from across Southeast Asia. U.S. dairy export value reaches another new record, reaching US$1.68 billion in value.

2022