MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  April 13, 2016 (REPORT 15)                         

MIDWEST CHEESE:

Cheese production in the Midwest continues to be very active as many manufacturers report 
running full schedules. Processors say milk intakes are up, but not quite at spring flush 
levels. Domestic cheese demand has been good; however, a few cheese makers say sales are 
down slightly over the past few weeks. Cheese manufacturers are working hard to balance 
production and demand. Some Midwest cheese plants report comfortable inventory levels. 
However, others suggest that inventories may be heavy in secondary markets and third 
party warehouses. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy shows that April 8-14 Midwest ads 
for 8 ounce shred cheese have a weighted average advertised price of $2.19, 8 cents lower 
than the national average. Midwest prices range from $1.99-$2.50. One year ago, the 
national price was $2.35. For 8 ounce blocks, the Midwest average price is $2.38, 4 cents 
below the national average price. Midwest ads are priced from $1.99-$3.50. Last year, the 
national price was $2.40. This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted 
requests for 1.614 million pounds (732 metric tons) of cheese. So far this year, the 
program has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 13.975 million pounds 
of cheese in export markets. In the Midwest, wholesale prices are down $.0150 for 
process, and down $.0325 for cheddar block, cuts, and Monterey Jack. Swiss cut wholesale 
prices are unchanged this week. In CME Group trading Wednesday, barrels closed at 
$1.4275, down $.0150 from last Wednesday and blocks closed at $1.4275, down $.0050. 

                                    
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#                   : 1.8100-2.2350       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.5375-1.9325       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.7850-1.9900       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.0775-3.0650       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.6100-2.5500       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.4925-2.6100       


1300CT mike.bandli@ams.usda.gov amy.l.schmitz@ams.usda.gov 
(608) 557-7010
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