MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  February 22, 2017 (REPORT 8)                       


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
Eastern cheese output is steady as seasonal milk volumes clear to 
Class III processing plants. The market continues to see slightly 
improved cash sales activity prompted by CME price drops. However, 
cheese buyers in general remain hesitant to place orders now, with 
expectations of continued declines. Hence, stocks overall are growing. 
Inventory rebuilding and cheddar aging programs have mostly supported 
a stabilized market but supply apprehensions linger heading into the 
seasonal spring peak productions period. Block and barrel interests 
range from relaxed to moderate. Meanwhile, mozzarella sales are 
irregular and often lighter. Cream cheese and kosher cream cheese 
processing is active for the upcoming Easter and Passover holiday.
This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests 
for export assistance to sell 1.347 million pounds (611 metric tons) 
of cheddar cheese. Weekly average cheese prices at the CME Group 
drooped lower last week.  As a result, barrels slipped $0.0350, and 
blocks skidded $0.0375. Prices for Grade A Swiss are steady. Tuesday's 
CME Group daily cash prices saw barrels close at $1.6000, down $0.0500 
from a week ago; blocks closed at $1.5300, down $0.0800 from a week 
ago. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, February 17-23, 2017, noted 
the Northeast weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese 
blocks was $2.27, 3 cents below the national average, with a regional 
price range of $1.49-$3.00. The Southeast 8 oz. block average price 
was $2.20, 10 cents below the national average, with a regional price 
range of $1.49-$2.50. The Northeast average advertised price for 8 oz. 
cheese shreds was $2.28, 3 cents below the national average price, 
with a regional price range of $1.49-$2.99 In the Southeast, the 
average price for 8 oz. shreds was $2.24, 7 cents below the national 
average, with prices ranging $1.49-$2.50.


WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 2.0600-2.3450     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.7775-2.2575     
Muenster                                     : 2.0450-2.3950     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.3100-3.6325                                                                       

1100CT daniel@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