MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  February 25, 2015 (REPORT 8)                       


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
In general, cheese production is strong.  Inventories are building on the 
strength of available milk supplies, as plants with the capacity run full 
7 day schedules.  Adequate interest is noted in both the retail and food 
service sectors, as orders are good through Easter.  Swiss cheese sales 
are trending above expected levels.  Export sales are light.  The market 
maintains an unsettled tone.  Last week, the weekly average cheese prices 
bounced back as blocks and barrels advanced.  This week, the Northeast 
wholesale cheese prices for cheddar and muenster rose $0.0100; process 
increased $0.0025.  The Grade A Swiss price is unchanged.  Tuesday's CME 
Group daily cash prices saw barrels close at $1.4825, down $0.0025 from a 
week ago; blocks closed at $1.5450, up $0.0050 from a week ago. According 
to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, for February 20-26, the national 
weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese blocks in the 
Northeast is $2.54; 10 cents less than the national average and 11 cent 
more than a week ago.  The Southeast 8 oz. block cheese price is $2.88; 
60 cents more than a week ago. 
Cold Storage:  According to NASS, U.S. stocks of total natural cheese as 
of January 31, 2015 totaled 1.043 billion pounds, 3% more than a year ago 
and 2% more than the previous month.  Other cheese totaled 387.7 million 
pounds, 8% more than a year ago, and 5% more than the previous month.  
Swiss cheese totaled 22.4 million pounds, 12% less than a year ago, but 
5% more than the previous month.  


WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.9400-2.2250     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7100-2.1900     
Muenster                                     : 1.9600-2.3100     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.8925-4.2150     

 
1100CT Daniel.Johnson@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4156
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-
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