MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  December 21, 2016 (REPORT 51)                      


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
 
Cheese production is at seasonal levels. Manufacturers expect output 
to be somewhat heavier during the yearend holiday period, with extra 
fluid milk availability due to waning school demand. Manufacturers are 
careful to maintain stocks at reasonable yearend levels. Aged cheddar 
is seeing the typical good seasonal interest. Food service interest 
should continue to hold steady into the New Year. The market undertone 
is not as firm, as softness in spot cheese prices develops. The DMN 
National Retail Report-Dairy, for December 16-22, 2016, noted the 
Northeast weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese blocks 
was $2.30, 7 cents above the national average, with a regional price 
range of $1.49-$3.79. The Southeast 8 oz. block average price was 
$2.18, 5 cents below the national average, with a regional price range 
of $1.99-$3.00. The Northeast average advertised price for 8 oz. 
cheese shreds was $2.14, equivalent to the national average price, 
with a regional price range of $1.66-$2.99. In the Southeast, the 
average price for 8 oz. shreds was $2.04, with prices ranging $1.67-
$3.00. This week, the Northeast wholesale cheese price for cheddar and 
Muenster increased $0.1000 and the process 5# sliced cheese price 
increased $0.0350. Grade A Swiss prices are unchanged. Tuesday's CME 
Group daily cash prices saw barrels closed at $1.6550, down $0.0250 
from a week ago. Blocks closed Tuesday at $1.7850, up $0.0275 from a 
week ago. 

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 2.2275-2.5125     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.8200-2.3000     
Muenster                                     : 2.2125-2.5625     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.2700-3.5925     

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