MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  December 09, 2015 (REPORT 49)                      


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      

Cheese production is steady at expected seasonal levels as milk supply 
volumes inch higher. Promotions and features for the upcoming holiday 
period continue to prompt good sales activity. Contract sales are the 
forefront of most transactions. Demand for mozzarella is strengthening. 
Some buyers are gingerly adding to cheese supplies, prior to the yearend 
holidays. The market undertone is unsettled to weak. This week, the 
Northeast wholesale cheese prices for cheddar and Muenster declined 
$0.0300, and process prices dropped $0.0075. The Grade A Swiss prices 
moved lower $0.0500, a result of lagging adjustments based on Class III 
component prices. The Northeast November 2015 monthly average prices for 
cheddar blocks was $2.1620, compared to $2.5711 one year ago. Processed 
5# sliced average price was $1.9936, compared to $2.4582 one year ago.  
According to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, during the week of 
December 4-10, 2015 the weighted average advertised price for 8 ounce 
cheese blocks in the Northeast was $2.60, 22 cents more than the national 
average, and 40 cents more than a week ago. The Southeast 8 ounce block 
cheese price was $2.32, 46 cents less than a week ago. The CME Group 
November 2015 monthly average price for barrels was $1.5305, compared to 
$1.9326 a year ago; blocks' average price was $1.6176, down from $1.9513 
a year ago. Tuesday's CME Group daily cash trading saw barrels close at 
$1.5000, down $0.0150 from a week ago; blocks closed at $1.5000, down 
$0.0600 from a week ago.

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.9425-2.2275     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7250-2.2050     
Muenster                                     : 1.9625-2.3125     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.2100-3.5325     	

1100CT daniel.johnson@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7006
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-
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