MD_DA810 DA MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast MADISON, WI. July 12, 2017 (REPORT 28) NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE: Milk intakes at Northeastern cheese plants are steady to slower. Contacts expect that milk will remain somewhat available for the next few weeks, until school districts commence, and cut into spot milk accessibility. Cheddar production is steadily ongoing, whereas other types of cheesemakers' production levels are mixed. Swiss cheese producers report demand has been exceptional, with sales outpacing those of the past few years. Producers of packaged/retail cheese report a seasonal quietness, while food service contacts anticipate increased sales in the next few weeks, as school districts begin their preparatory ordering. Generally, cheese stocks are long in the East. The Northeast cheese market tone is mixed, with signs of stability as prices continue to slowly trend upward. At Monday's CME Group daily cash trading barrel cheese closed at $1.3850, up $0.0325 from a week ago, while block cheese ended the day at $1.5550, up $0.0300 from a week ago. Dairy Products (NASS) reports total U.S. cheese production, for May 2017, was 1.051 billion pounds, 4.0 percent above May 2016. Atlantic region total cheese production for May 2017 was 129.3 million pounds, 10.9 percent higher than May 2016. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, for July 7-13, 2017, noted the Northeast weighted average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese blocks was $2.18, 38 cents below last week's regional price and 2 cents below the national average price. Northeast retail prices ranged $1.88-$3.00. The Southeast weighted average price for 8 oz. block was $2.27, down 85 cents from last week, but 7 cents above the national average price. Surveyed retail prices for the region ranged $1.67-$3.00. The Northeast average advertised price for 8 oz. cheese shreds was $2.22, down 23 cents from last week and 5 cents lower than the national average price, as regional prices ranged $1.88-$2.99. Southeast's average price for advertised 8 oz. shreds was $2.33, 19 cents below the previous week, with prices ranging $1.67-$3.00. This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted ten requests for export assistance to sell 1.490 million pounds (853 metric tons) of cheese. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reports that May 2017 U.S. cheese and curd exports totaled 78.1 million pounds, a 48 percent increase from the same period a year ago. 2017 U.S. Cheese and Curd Exports (USDA-FAS) 2017 Exports % Change From (Million Lb.) 1 Year Ago May 78.1 + 48 TOTAL, JAN - MAY 314.0 + 22 1 Mexico 98.3 + 15 2 South Korea 49.4 + 37 3 Japan 28.5 + 5 4 Australia 25.0 + 101 5 Canada 10.9 + 4 The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reports that January through May 2017 U.S. cheese and curd imports totaled 160.4 million pounds, a 14% decrease from a year ago. 2017 U.S. Cheese and Curd Imports (USDA-FAS) (Imports for Consumption) 2017 Imports % Change From (Million Lb.) Last Month May Imports TOTAL Cheese and Curd (H.S. Code 0406) 33.6 ... Cheese, Except Fresh (H.S. Code 040690) 29.3 ... Fresh Cheese (H.S. Code 040610) 2.9 + 27 Cheese, Processed (H.S. Code 040630) 0.9 - 10 Cheese, Blue-Veined (H.S. Code 040640) 0.6 - 17 2017 Imports % Change From (Million Lb.) 1 Year Ago TOTAL, JAN - MAY 160.4 - 14 1 Italy 29.0 - 2 2 France 17.5 - 5 3 New Zealand 14.1 - 38 4 Netherlands 12.0 + 15 5 Germany 11.0 + 42 The Northeast wholesale price for cheddar and Muenster cheeses increased $0.0250, and the wholesale process 5# sliced price rose $0.0050. WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS) Cheddar 40# Block : 1.9825-2.2675 Process 5# Sliced : 1.5225-2.0025 Muenster : 1.9675-2.3175 Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14# : 3.1325-3.4550 1100CT israel.weber@ams.usda.gov 608.422.8601 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