MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  February 05, 2015 (REPORT 5)                       

WEST CHEESE                                                      

Cheese prices are trending higher, reflecting increased demand for current 
and future needs.  Domestic cheese demand is fair to good and clearing 
product.  Export interest is limited.  Demand for Swiss types is holding up 
well with good cut and food service orders noted.  The trade notes that sales 
of cheddar and natural varieties have been fair to good.  Mozzarella interest 
has been good around the football holidays to pizza accounts.  Cheese 
production is active with increasing milk supplies within the region.  Some 
plants are running fuller than projected and milk is moving to find 
processing space.  Holdings are adequate for current needs.  Western 
wholesale prices moved higher for process and natural varieties; are 
unchanged for Swiss.  The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of 
January 30-February 5, shows the U.S. weighted average advertised retail 
price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.57, up $.01 from 
last week and $.26 higher than a year ago.  Packs averaged $2.76 in the 
Southwest and $2.75 in the Northwest.  On Wednesday at the CME, barrels 
closed at $1.4850, up $.0100 from last Wednesday and blocks at $1.5350, up 
$.0500. According to NASS, December total cheese production was 2.5% higher 
than a year ago in the U.S., while 2.4% higher in the West.   
                                                                 
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.6075-1.8650     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.6300-2.0750     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.8100-2.0300     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.8200-1.9800     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 3.6825-4.1125     

                                                   

1530CT Butch.Speth@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4152
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin 
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews 
Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home