MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  March 18, 2015 (REPORT 11)                         

WEST CHEESE                                                      
                                                                 
Western cheese manufacturers have strong and steady cheese sales 
attributed to buyers filling cold storage facilities.  Milk supplies 
are strong enough to maintain full cheese production and in a number 
of Western states, some discounted milk is also being acquired to 
bolster cheese output.  Vats are also being fortified with condensed 
skim and nonfat dry milk.  The factor of cheese prices remaining 
within a trading range for several weeks is mentioned as evidence of 
the balanced nature of cheese markets.  Manufacturers are maintaining 
active production schedules with some confidence.  The DMN National 
Retail Report-Dairy for the week of March 13 - 19 shows the U.S. 
weighted average advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of 
natural shredded cheese is $2.35, down $.32 from last week but $.01 
higher than a year ago.  Packs averaged $2.40 in the Southwest and 
$2.81 in the Northwest.  Western wholesale prices are up $.0525 for 
process, Swiss is unchanged, and the remaining varieties are up 
$.0150.  In CME Group cheese trading, barrels closed Wednesday this week at 
$1.5600, down $.0050 from Wednesday last week and blocks closed at $1.5700, even 
with last Wednesday.

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.6675-1.9250     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.6775-2.1225     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.8575-2.0775     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.8675-2.0275     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 3.0125-3.4425     

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