MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  May 13, 2015 (REPORT 19)                           

WEST CHEESE                                                      

Western cheese production remains steady. Industry contacts note relatively 
full production.  Contract sales appear to be firm with limited spot market 
activity. Some industry participants suggest cheese is being placed into 
storage for future consumption. As the week began, manufacturers had tighter 
supplies of barrels than blocks.

The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of May 8 - 14 shows the 
U.S. weighted average advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural 
shredded cheese is $2.39, up $.05 from last week and up $.02 from a year ago.  
Packs averaged $2.54 in the Southwest and $2.79 in the Northwest.  For 8 
ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.39, up 12 cents from last week but down 4 
cents from a year ago.  Blocks in the Southwest averaged $2.58 and in the 
Northwest, $2.49.

Western wholesale prices are up $.01 for process, and unchanged for all other 
types.

In CME Group trading Wednesday, Barrels closed at $1.6100, down $.0050 from 
last Wednesday and Blocks closed at $1.6125, up $.0025.  

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.7500-2.0075     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.7200-2.1650     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.9000-2.1200     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.9100-2.0700     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.7500-3.1800     


1530CT eric.graf@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7005 and mike.bandli@ams.usda.gov 
608.557.7010
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