MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  March 23, 2016 (REPORT 12)                         

MIDWEST CHEESE:    

Cheese production is steady, with many plants operating full schedules to handle 
current milk intakes. Some reports of cheese sales slowing are heard, both due to 
buyers having fuller storage facilities, and due to buyers opportunely watching 
price movements which they can comfortable do being well stocked already. The 
market undertone remains resigned to heavy milk and full inventories. The DMN 
National Retail Report-Dairy shows that March 18-24 Midwest ads for 8 ounce shred 
cheese have a weighted average advertised price of $1.99, 8 cents lower than the 
national average. Midwest prices range from $1.33-$3.50. For 8 ounce blocks, the 
Midwest average price is $1.97, 23 cents below the national average price. 
Midwest ads are priced from $1.33-$3.50. This week, a cooperative export 
assistance program accepted requests for 178,574 pounds (81 metric tons) of 
cheese. So far this year, the program has assisted member cooperatives who have 
contracts to sell 9.994 million pounds of cheese in export markets. NASS reports 
that February 29 2016 East North Central region (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, 
Indiana and Ohio) American cheese stocks were 120% of February 28, 2015, and 102% 
of January 31, 2016.  East North Central region other cheese stocks were 113% of 
February 28, 2015, and 101% of January 31, 2016.  Total U.S. stocks of cheese 
(total natural) at the end of February 2016 were 1.182 billion pounds, unchanged 
from January 2016, and up 11% from February 2015. American stocks were 11% more, 
other natural stocks were 11% more, and Swiss stocks were 5% more than last year. 
Midwestern wholesale prices are unchanged for Swiss cuts, down $.0225 for 
process, and down $.0250 for all other types. In CME Group trading Wednesday, 
barrels closed at $1.4500, up $.0200 from last Wednesday and blocks closed at 
$1.4900, up $.0025 from last Wednesday. 
                                                                                                        
WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.5400-1.9000       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 1.8625-2.2875       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.5900-1.9850       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.8375-2.0425       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.1300-3.1175       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.6625-2.6025       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.5725-2.6900       


1300CT eric.graf@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