MD_DA128                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA128 Cheddar Cheese - Oceania                                

MADISON, WI.  February 05, 2015 (REPORT 5)                       

OCEANIA                                                          
INFORMATION GATHERED  01/26/2015 - 02/06/2015                    
U.S. DOLLARS PER METRIC TON, FOB PORT                            

CHEDDAR CHEESE:  The cheddar market is unsettled with a developing weak 
undertone, due to increased global supplies and competition from the 
Northern Hemisphere.  Demand is steady, but the supply situation has 
changed with buyers shopping for the best product and price that fits 
their needs.  Australian supplies are fairly tight with some cheese 
makers holding firm on price for the domestic market.  Cheddar returns 
are beginning to converge with other production streams, so there may be 
some decreases in production in the near term.  A major cheese exporter 
in New Zealand missed the U.S. import licensing deadline and is actively 
seeking agreements with other cooperatives to fill its commitments in the 
U.S.  According to GTIS, December cheese imports into China increased, 
compared to the previous month.  New Zealand and Australia remained the 
top 2 suppliers of cheese into China.  January to December 2014 cheese 
imports into China are 40% above year ago levels.
 
39% MAXIMUM MOISTURE:                    3,400 - 4,000           

0930C rick.whipp@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4151
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews
Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-
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