MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  March 25, 2015 (REPORT 12)                         


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
As farm-level milk production delivers more milk into regional cheese 
vats, manufacturing rates appear steady to higher.  Cheese output, in 
general, is fulfilling short-term customer needs.  Cheddar designated to 
aging programs is actively building inventory levels.  Demand for Swiss 
stocks from retail and foodservice outlets is noted as good, leading up 
to the spring holidays.  The current demand is expected to decline, with 
some buyers weighing their purchase options in view of a potential price 
drop.  The market is unsettled.  Wholesale cheese prices for cheddar and 
muenster dropped $0.0075, and process 5# sliced slipped $0.0050.  Prices 
for Grade A Swiss Cuts 10-14# are steady.  Prior to last week's decline, 
CME weekly averages for both blocks and barrels posted increases over the 
previous 4 weeks.  Tuesday's CME Group daily cash prices saw barrels 
close at $1.5100, down $0.0500 from a week ago; blocks closed at $1.5300, 
dropping $0.0400 from a week ago.  According to the DMN National Retail 
Report-Dairy, for March 20-26, the regional weighted average advertised 
price for 8 oz. cheese blocks in the Northeast is $2.51, 7 cents more 
than the national average and 17 cents more than a week ago.  The 
Southeast 8 oz. block cheese price was $2.55, 23 cents more than the 
previous week.  Cold Storage:  According to NASS, U.S. stocks of total 
natural cheese as of February 28, 2015 totaled 1.064 billion pounds, 5% 
more than a year ago and 2% above the previous month.  Other cheese 
totaled 397.2 million pounds, 12% more than a year ago, and 2% more than 
the previous month.  Swiss cheese totaled 23.7 million pounds, 12% less 
than a year ago but 6% above last month.  

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.9575-2.2425     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7650-2.2450     
Muenster                                     : 1.9775-2.3275     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.4350-3.7575     

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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