MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  December 28, 2016 (REPORT 52)                      


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
Cheese production has increased as plants run at/near capacity levels. 
Buyers and sellers are working on inventory positioning and preparing 
orders for delivery next year. Bulk cheese offerings are increasing as 
extra milk diverts from bottling. Demand is fair. The market undertone 
is weak as prices continue to move lower. Consequent to retreats in 
the CME Group's weekly average cheese prices, Northeast wholesale 
cheese prices for cheddar and Muenster declined $0.0300, while 5# 
sliced cheese prices decreased $0.0800. Grade A Swiss prices are 
steady. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, for December 23-29, 
2016, noted the Northeast weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. 
cheese blocks was $2.19, 3 cents above the national average, with a 
regional price range of $1.49-$3.00. The Southeast 8 oz. block average 
price was $2.09, 7 cents below the national average, with a regional 
price range of $1.67-$3.00. The Northeast average advertised price for 
8 oz. cheese shreds was $2.18, 11 cents above the national average 
price, with a regional price range of $1.77-$3.49. In the Southeast, 
the average price for 8 oz. shreds was $1.99, with prices ranging 
$1.67-$2.49. Tuesday's CME Group daily cash prices saw barrels close 
at $1.5325, down $0.1225 from a week ago. Blocks closed Tuesday at 
$1.6700, down $0.1150 from a week ago. 
COLD STORAGE:  According to NASS, U.S. stocks of total natural cheese 
as of November 30, 2016 totaled 1.180 billion pounds, 3% more than a 
year ago, but 3% less than the previous month. Swiss cheese totaled 
24.8 million pounds, 10% more than a year ago, but steady from last 
month.  

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 2.1975-2.4825     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7400-2.2200     
Muenster                                     : 2.1825-2.5325     
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