MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  May 03, 2017 (REPORT 18)                           

MIDWEST CHEESE:    

Milk is readily available for cheese producers in the Midwest. Spot milk prices 
for cheesemakers range from $3.00 to $6.00 under Class. Cheese producers are 
taking advantage of the milk spot market, whereas up until recent weeks, 
producers were unable or unwilling to take on spot milk. Cheese production is in 
line with milk availability. With the exception of plant maintenance, a number of 
Midwestern cheese producers report seven day workweeks. Cheese inventories are 
generally reported as long. However, some cheese manufacturers in the Midwest 
report that steady and ongoing orders have kept inventory levels in balance. 
Retail and food service demand is generally steady. The cheese market tone is 
uncertain. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy shows that April 28-May 4 Midwest 
ads for 8 ounce shred cheese have a weighted average advertised price of $2.07, 1 
cent below the national average. Midwest prices range from $1.88-$3.00. One year 
ago, the national price was $2.44. For 8 ounce blocks, the Midwest average price 
is $2.07, 6 cents above the national average price. Midwest ads are priced from 
$1.57-$2.99. Last year, the national price was $2.32. The CME Group April 2017 
monthly average price for barrels, $1.4307, is up from the March average of 
$1.4072 and up from the monthly average of a year ago, $1.4231. Blocks' April 
average price, $1.4976, is up from the $1.4342 March monthly average and up from 
$1.4194 one year ago. This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted 
requests for 493,836 pounds (224 metric tons) of cheese. So far this year, the 
program has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 29.658 
million pounds of cheese in export markets. In CME Group trading Wednesday, barrels 
closed at $1.4000, down $.0200 from last Wednesday and blocks closed at $1.4800, down 
$.0625 from last Wednesday. Midwestern wholesale prices are unchanged for Swiss 
cuts, up $.0100 for process and up $.0400 for all other types.

WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.5175-1.8775       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 1.8950-2.3200       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.6225-2.0175       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.8700-2.0750       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.1625-3.1500       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.6950-2.6350       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.8275-2.9450       

   
1300CT israel.weber@ams.usda.gov (608)422-8601
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-