MD_DA770 DA MD DA770 Lactose - Central and West MADISON, WI. April 07, 2016 (REPORT 14) LACTOSE - CENTRAL AND WEST Lactose prices are steady to a touch higher. A few spot sales pushed the top end of the range up a quarter of a cent. The bottom of the mostly price series moved up a half-cent. Manufacturers continue to report tight inventories, especially for 100 and 200 mesh. Stocks of 40 mesh are getting tighter also. Lactose production is steady. Demand for lactose has been good, but a few processors suggest it is a little lighter at the moment. The lull is helping some manufacturers get caught up on current orders and build a small cushion in the warehouse. The market tone for lactose remains firm. The March 2016 Dairy Market News average of the mostly price series for Central and West lactose was $0.2280, compared to $0.2166 one month ago and $0.2472 one year ago. NASS's Dairy Products report shows U.S. lactose production during February 2016 (unadjusted for the extra production day in February 2016) totaled 82.7 million pounds, a 2.9% increase from one year ago. Year to date lactose production through February is 167.3 million pounds, 1.8% less than a year ago. Month ending stocks, at 118.4 million pounds, are 11.7% lower than one year ago, but 2.6% higher than January 2016. Including spot sales and up to 3 month contracts. F.O.B. EDIBLE, NON PHARMACEUTICAL .1800 - .3525 MOSTLY: .2100 - .2600 U.S. Lactose Exports, H.S. Code 1702110000(FAS) 2016 Exports % Change From (Million Lb.) 1 Year Ago February Total 44.1 + 13 TOTAL, JAN - FEB 86.7 + 20 1 New Zealand 19.3 + 122 2 China 13.6 + 18 3 Mexico 11.4 + 15 4 Japan 8.2 + 75 5 Indonesia 6.3 + 53 1100CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov (608) 557-7010 USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home