U.S. whey protein demand surges as dairy capacity struggles to keep pace

Demand for whey protein has surged as U.S. diet trends shift toward higher protein intake and use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs expands. The dairy industry is struggling to produce enough, with inventories falling and some suppliers sold out for the latter half of the year, according to the USDA. Limited processing capacity and long timelines to add specialized infrastructure are keeping supply tight as prices climb.