MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  December 23, 2015 (REPORT 51)                      

MIDWEST CHEESE:                                                 

Midwest cheese makers report good movement of cheese leading up to the winter 
holidays. Domestic specialty cheese, food service and retail demand have been good, 
but are slowing slightly. Processors anticipate more milk to become available over 
the next two weeks. Some spot loads of milk are available at $6 to $7 under Class. A 
few manufacturers are receiving offers for milk shipments in advance of the holidays 
from across the region. Cheese production is vigorous and cheese makers expect to run 
full schedules over the holidays. Inventories are building and adding to already 
heavy cheese supplies. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy shows that December 18-24 
Midwest ads for 8 ounce shred cheese have a weighted average advertised price of $1.94, 
33 cents lower than the national average. Midwest prices range from $.98-$2.50. One year 
ago, the national price was $2.45. For 8 ounce blocks, the Midwest average price is 
$1.86, 36 cents lower than the national average price. Midwest ads are priced from $.98-
$2.25. Last year, the national price was $2.62. Midwestern wholesale prices are unchanged 
for Swiss cuts, and down $.0475 for process and all other types. This week, a cooperative 
export assistance program accepted requests for 3.515 million pounds of cheese. According 
to the NASS Cold Storage report, the East North Central region (Wisconsin, Illinois, 
Michigan, Indiana and Ohio) American cheese stocks on November 30, 2015 were 123% of last 
year, and 100% of last month. East North Central region other cheese stocks were 116% of 
November 30, 2014 and 102% of October 31, 2015. Total U.S. natural cheese stocks on 
November 30, 2015 were 113% of a year ago and 100% of a month ago. In CME Group trading 
Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.4200, up $.0100 from last Wednesday and blocks closed at 
$1.4000, down $.0100. 

WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.5275-1.8875       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 1.8075-2.2325       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.5350-1.9300       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.7825-1.9875       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.0750-3.0625       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.6075-2.5475       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.7275-2.8450       

1200C Mike.bandli@ams.usda.gov  608-557-7005
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