MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  December 30, 2015 (REPORT 52)                      

WEST CHEESE                                                      

Western cheese production is steady to higher. Milk is readily available for processing 
and many cheesemakers are running at full production between the holidays. Cheese 
inventories are generally long, especially cheese used for further processing. The DMN 
National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of December 25-31 shows the U.S. weighted 
average advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.27, 
unchanged from last week, but down $.08 from a year ago. Packs averaged $2.25 in the 
Southwest and $2.28 in the Northwest. For 8 ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.19, down 
$.03 from last week, and down $.32 from a year ago. Blocks averaged $2.22 in the 
Southwest and $2.26 in the Northwest this week. In the West, wholesale prices are 
unchanged for process, and down $.0150 for cheddar block, cuts, and Monterey jack. Prices 
are unchanged for Swiss cuts. In CME Group trading Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.4800, 
up $.0600 from a week ago and blocks closed at $1.4500, up $.0500. 

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.5425-1.8000     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.5250-1.9700     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.7050-1.9250     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.7150-1.8750     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.7875-3.2175     


1200CT 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