MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  April 15, 2015 (REPORT 15)                         

WEST CHEESE     

Export interest is driving increased emphasis on producing mozzarella 
and provolone in some western cheese plants.   Many manufacturers also 
continue to have excellent domestic cheese sales interest.  There is 
less commentary about surplus milk in the West than Midwest, but many 
western cheese plants are quite heavily scheduled nevertheless.  
Manufacturers seem to have confidence that what is made will be sold 
and, if not, many also seek to notch their own inventories higher for 
a cushion in coming months.  Some western cheese is moving into export 
with subsidies assisting.  The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for 
the week of April 10 - 16 shows the U.S. weighted average advertised 
retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.35, 
down $.04 from last week and down $.09 from a year ago.  Packs 
averaged $2.36 in the Southwest but there are no ads in the Northwest.  
For 8 ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.40, up 9 cents from last week 
and up 18 cents from a year ago.  Blocks in the Southwest averaged 
$2.43 and in the Northwest, $2.59.  Western wholesale prices are up 
$.0175 for process, and the remaining varieties are unchanged.  In CME 
Group trading Wednesday, Barrels closed at $1.6150, up $.0050 from last Wednesday 
and Blocks closed at $1.5725, down $.0050 from last Wednesday.  This moved the 
barrel - block price inversion to $.0425, up from $.0325 last Wednesday.
                                                                                                                 
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.7300-1.9875     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.6875-2.1325     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.8675-2.0875     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.8775-2.0375     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.8300-3.2600     


1530CT eric.graf@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7005
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