MD_DA770 DA MD DA770 Lactose - Central and West MADISON, WI. April 06, 2017 (REPORT 14) ** UPDATED ** LACTOSE - CENTRAL AND WEST Lactose prices are mostly unchanged, but the top end of the price range moved slightly lower on an adjusted quarterly contract. Manufacturers report there is still good interest from buyers and lactose is moving well through contracts. Inventories are generally tight to comfortable, but a few processors note having a little more stocks on hand. Production is steady to higher. The **March 2017 Dairy Market News average of the mostly price series for Central and West lactose was $0.3826, compared to $0.3750 one month ago and $0.2280 one year ago. NASS's Dairy Products report shows U.S. lactose production during **February 2017 totaled 84.7 million pounds, a 0.9% increase from one year ago. Year to date lactose production through February is 177.3 million pounds, 5.2% more than a year ago. Month ending stocks, at 113.2 million pounds, are 8.0% lower than one year ago, but 2.2% more than January 2017. At the GDT Event 185 on April 4, lactose prices across all contract periods averaged $0.4205 per pound, up 2.2%. Including spot sales and up to 3 month contracts. F.O.B. EDIBLE, NON PHARMACEUTICAL .2500 - .5700 MOSTLY: .3700 - .4300 U.S. Lactose Exports, H.S. Code 1702110000(FAS) 2017 Exports % Change From (Million Lb.) 1 Year Ago February Total 40.9 - 7 TOTAL, JAN - FEB 88.0 + 1 1 Mexico 17.6 + 54 2 China 13.4 - 2 3 New Zealand 10.9 - 43 4 Japan 8.3 + 1 1100CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov 608.422.8592 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