MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  July 08, 2015 (REPORT 27)                          

MIDWEST CHEESE:                                                  

Generally favorable weather is continuing to aid cow comfort and crops through 
most of the Midwest. Dairy manufacturers are experiencing some seasonal declines 
in milk intakes and in milk components. However, milk is still readily available 
for cheese production. Many processors extended full cheese production schedules 
throughout the recent holiday weekend in order to stay ahead of the milk supply. 
In some cases, cheese makers have purchased a few additional loads of milk to keep 
their plants at full capacity. Consumer demand remains steady for most varieties 
of cheese. The DMN National Retail Report - Dairy shows that July 3 - 9 Midwest 
ads for 8 ounce shredded cheese have a weighted average advertised price of $2.12, 
33 cents lower than the national average. Midwest prices range from $1.68 - $2.49. 
One year ago the national price was $2.30. For 8 ounce blocks, the Midwest average 
price is $2.04, 41 cents lower than the national average price. Midwest ads are 
priced from $1.65 to $2.49. Last year, the national price was $2.44. Dairy 
Products (NASS) reports May 2015 U.S. total cheese production, 988.6 million 
pounds, is 1.8% more than a year ago and is 1.9% above April this year. In the 
Midwest, cheese production for May 2015 compared with May 2014 was: total cheese, 
+3.1%; American, +1.8%; cheddar, +1.6%; total Italian, +5.0%; and mozzarella, 
+4.9%. Midwestern wholesale prices are up $.0275 for Swiss cuts, but down $.0575 
for process, and down $.0400 for all other types. In CME Group trading Wednesday, 
Barrels closed at $1.5900, down $.0100 from last Wednesday and Blocks closed at 
$1.6525, up $.0200. 

WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)            
                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.6950-2.0550       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 2.0000-2.4250       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.7275-2.1225       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.9750-2.1800       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.2675-3.2550       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.8000-2.7400       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.7275-2.8450       


2015 U.S. Cheese and Curd Exports (USDA-FAS)
                    (Million Lb.)   % Change From 
                                      1 Year Ago

May                    64.7              -   8

Total Jan. - May      327.7              -  10
   1 Mexico            87.0              +  20
   2 South Korea       70.2              +  11
   3 Japan             38.1              -  32
   4 Australia         22.4              +  18
   5 China             11.9              -   3

1300C mike.bandli@ams.usda.gov  608-557-7010
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-home