MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  January 13, 2016 (REPORT 2)                        

NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
Overall, cheese production in the Northeast is steady to increasing 
seasonally. Demand is improving, as retailers return to the market 
following post-holiday inventory appraisals. However, manufacturers of 
Swiss cheese eased production in an effort to control stock levels as 
sales have dipped behind lackluster demand. Food service accounts are 
fairly active with orders being placed by some larger cheese buyers in 
anticipation of Super Bowl events. This week, wholesale cheese prices are 
steady to strong. Cheddar and Muenster increased $0.0250. Processed 
cheese prices increased $0.0150. Grade A Swiss prices are steady. 
According to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, for January 8-14, 
2016, the Northeast weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese 
blocks was $2.33, 14 cents more than the national average and 28 cents 
more than a week ago. The Southeast 8 oz. block cheese price was $2.20, 
13 cents more than the previous week. Tuesday's CME Group daily cash 
prices saw barrels close at $1.5225, up $0.0425 from a week ago; blocks 
closed at $1.4900, unchanged from last Tuesday. The Foreign Agricultural 
Service (FAS) reports that November 2015 U.S. cheese and curd exports 
totaled 50.5 million pounds, a 7% drop from a year ago.
DAIRY PRODUCTS:  According to NASS, U.S. total cheese production in 
November 2015 was 975.7 million pounds, 0.6% more than a year ago, but 
2.2% less than the previous month. In the Atlantic region, total cheese 
production was 129.8 million pounds, 7.1% more than a year ago, but 0.7% 
less than the previous month.  The total cheese production and percentage 
change from one year ago for individual Eastern states are: New York 68.8 
million pounds, +2.6%; Pennsylvania 34.2 million pounds, -4.7%; and 
Vermont 11.5 million pounds, +0.8%.  
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.8950-2.1800     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7000-2.1800     
Muenster                                     : 1.9150-2.2650     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.1700-3.4925     


2015 U.S. Cheese and Curd Exports (USDA-FAS)

                 2015 Exports      % Change From 
                 (Million Lb.)       1 Year Ago

November Total      50.5             - 7

TOTAL, JAN - NOV    643.6            - 14

 1 Mexico           181.4            + 12
 2 South Korea      117.6            - 19
 3 Japan             70.3            - 39
 4 Australia         35.6            - 6
 5 Canada            26.3            - 8
                                                                

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-
home