MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  February 18, 2015 (REPORT 7)                       

WEST CHEESE:  Cheese sales for western manufacturers are good, both name 
brands and store brands.  Production schedules are running full with cheese 
typically being the favored dairy product for manufacturers with multiple 
product manufacturing options in plants.  Exports are not a significant 
factor in sales.  Manufacturers of cheese have all of the milk they want.  At 
current prices, there is noticeable interest among buyers in building 
inventory levels for retail sale as well as for cheddar and provolone aging 
programs.  A number of manufacturers do not expect any significant divergence 
from current price levels in coming weeks.  The DMN National Retail Report-
Dairy for the week of February 13 - 19 shows the U.S. weighted average advertised 
retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.47, down $.05 
from last week but $.29 higher than a year ago.  Packs averaged $2.37 in the 
Southwest and $2.50 in the Northwest.  Western wholesale prices for Process 5# 
Loaf declined $.0050, Grade A Swiss Cuts 6-9# are unchanged and the remaining 
varieties declined $.0025.  In CME Group cheese trading, barrels closed Wednesday 
this week at $1.4850, up 1/2 cent from Wednesday last week and blocks closed at 
$1.5400, up 1 cent.                                                       
                                                                 
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.6100-1.8675     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.6625-2.1075     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.8425-2.0625     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.8525-2.0125     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 3.4700-3.9000     


1530CT eric.graf@ams.usda.gov 
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