MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  April 26, 2017 (REPORT 17)                         

NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
Northeast cheese production is strong. Heavy milk volumes continue to 
clear to manufacturing plants at capacity. Cheddar cheese interest is 
picking up for grilling season. The CME Group cash trading 40# block 
prices have had an uptick this week. Cheese inventories continue to 
build. The market tone is moderate. Last week at the CME Group, barrel 
cheese weekly averages decreased $0.0160, but block weekly averages 
increased $0.0215. With the result of the CME weekly averages, there is a 
mixed shift in the East wholesale cheese prices for blocks, +$.0225, 
process slices, -$.0150 and Muenster, +$.0225. Tuesday's CME Group daily 
cash prices saw barrels close at $1.4275, up $0.0075 from a week ago; 
blocks closed at $1.5525, up $0.0775 from a week ago. The DMN National 
Retail Report-Dairy, for April 21-27, 2017, noted the Northeast 
weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese blocks was $2.29, 
10 cents above the national average, with a regional price range of 
$1.49-$3.50. The Southeast 8 oz. block average price was $2.32, 13 
cents above the national average, with a regional price range of 
$1.67-$3.00. The Northeast average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese 
shreds was $2.26, 7 cents above the national average price, with a 
regional price range of $1.49-$3.00. In the Southeast, the average 
price for 8 oz. shreds was $2.12, 7 cents below the national average, 
with prices ranging $1.67-$3.00. COLD STORAGE:  According to NASS, U.S. 
stocks of total natural cheese as of March 2017 totaled 1.3 billion 
pounds, 3 percent more than the previous month, and up 8 percent from a 
year ago. Swiss cheese totaled 26.1 million pounds, 6 percent more than a 
year ago, but down 3 percent from last month. In New England, stocks of 
American cheese totaled 67.4 million pounds 7 percent more than March 2016 
and 3 percent more than the previous month.

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.9500-2.2350     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.5500-2.0300     
Muenster                                     : 1.9350-2.2850     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.3100-3.6325     

1100CT Jessica.Mueller@ams.usda.gov 608.422.8589
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