MD_DA770                                                                        
DA                                                                              
MD DA770 Lactose - Central and West                                             

MADISON, WI.  September 21, 2017 (REPORT 38)                                    

LACTOSE - CENTRAL AND WEST                                                      

Lactose prices are unchanged this week and the market tone is unsettled. Some buyers are 
holding back, waiting to see where prices move in the weeks to come. The hesitation is 
making spot activity slow. Any additional sales are difficult. Although industry contacts 
suggest domestic demand is stable, international demand is under pressure. Contacts say 
they are seeing more competition from the EU and from some U.S. sources that have 
inventory that needs to move. A few U.S. manufacturers are trying to slow the amount of 
lactose produced in their facilities as a way to control inventories. Quarter 4 
contracting is well underway, but sellers suggest it is slow going as they slog through 
the mire of the lactose market. At the GDT Event 196 on September 19, lactose prices 
across all contract periods averaged $0.3443 per pound, down 3.8 percent.

Including spot sales and up to 3 month contracts.                               
F.O.B. EDIBLE, NON PHARMACEUTICAL   .2000 - .4700    MOSTLY:   .2500 - .3400    


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