MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  May 27, 2015 (REPORT 21)                           

WEST CHEESE                                                      

Milk production continues to drive cheese output in the West.  Contracts sales have 
been steady.  While there has been limited interest in spot loads, cheese makers 
report a firm contract market for American style cheeses. They also report a few 
export sales. Industry contacts anticipate cheese inventories to be a little long in 
the weeks to come and prices to soften slightly.  The DMN National Retail Report-
Dairy for the week of May 22 - 28 shows the U.S. weighted average advertised retail 
price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.39, down $.04 from last 
week and down $.13 from a year ago.  Packs averaged $2.46 in the Southwest and $2.59 
in the Northwest.  For 8 ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.30, down $.09 from last 
week and down $.18 from a year ago.  Blocks in the Southwest averaged $2.23, and in 
the Northwest, $2.32.  Western wholesale prices are down $.0075 for process, no 
change for Swiss cuts, and up $.0225 for all other types.  According to the NASS Cold 
Storage report, U.S. stocks of cheese (total natural) at the end of April 2015 were 
1.081 billion pounds, up 1% from March 2015 and up 4% from April 2014. American 
stocks were 1% more, other natural stocks were 2% more, but Swiss stocks were 2% less 
than last month.  In the West Mountain Region, American cheese stocks were 19% less 
than one year earlier and 9% lower than one month earlier.  Pacific Region American 
cheese stocks were 22% less than one year earlier and 3% less than a month before.  
Other natural cheese stocks were 20% above a year ago but 13% below a month ago.  In 
CME Group trading Wednesday, Barrels closed at $1.6050, down $.0100 from last 
Wednesday and Blocks closed at $1.6600, up $.0250.  

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.7375-1.9950     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.7475-2.1925     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.9275-2.1475     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.9375-2.0975     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.7500-3.1800     


1530CT 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