MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  September 2, 2015 (REPORT 35)                        

WEST CHEESE                                                      

While increases in bottling demand and the seasonal decline in milk 
production have reduced milk intakes, western manufacturers report cheese 
production has remained active with milk readily available for processing. 
Export opportunities for cheese are down. However, current domestic cheese 
demand is good, and is allowing cheese makers to keep inventories from 
getting out of control. Market prices at the CME Group have held within a 
range of $1.60 to $1.75 for most of the summer. Industry contacts are 
speculating whether consumer demand can hold through fall school terms and 
the Q4 holidays. The DMN National Retail Report - Dairy for the week of August 
28 - September 3 shows the U.S. weighted average advertised retail price for an 8 
ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.46, up $.12 from last week and up 
$.04 from a year ago. Packs averaged $2.22 in the Southwest and $2.78 in the 
Northwest. For 8 ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.34, up $.03 from both last 
week and a year ago. Blocks in the Southwest averaged $2.18, and in the 
Northwest, $2.78. In the West, wholesale prices are down $.0625 for process, and 
down $.0200 for cheddar blocks, cuts, monterey jack and other types. Prices are 
unchanged for Swiss cuts. In Wednesday trading at the CME Group, Barrels closed 
at $1.6700, up $.0700 from last Wednesday and Blocks closed at $1.7000, up 
$.0300. 

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.7250-1.9825     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.7900-2.2350     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.9700-2.1900     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.9800-2.1400     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.8300-3.2600     


1530CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7010
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin 
Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy
Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home