MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  March 15, 2017 (REPORT 11)                         

WEST CHEESE                                                      

Western cheese contacts say milk is readily available and keeping cheese makers busy. 
Current cheese production is meeting most buyer requests. Some end users suggest their 
cheese needs are fully satisfied and they are hesitant to increase their purchases 
further. Although a few contacts suggest activity from food service and retail accounts 
is slightly slower, cheese processors describe generally steady domestic demand. In 
addition, some export buyers are expressing more interest in response to lower cheese 
prices. Western cheese inventories are still heavy and available storage space is 
limited. Contacts suggest barrel stocks are long, and block volumes are also above 
current buyer needs. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of March 10-16 
shows the U.S. weighted average advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural 
shredded cheese is $2.31, up $.10 from last week. Packs average $2.27 in the Southwest 
and $2.35 in the Northwest. One year ago, the national price was $2.29. For 8 ounce 
blocks, the U.S. price is $2.25, up $.10 from last week. Blocks average $1.93 in the 
Southwest and $2.18 in the Northwest. One year ago, the national price was $2.43. In the 
West, wholesale prices are down $.0525 for process, and down $.0750 for cheddar block, 
cuts, and Monterey Jack. Swiss cut wholesale prices are unchanged. In CME Group trading 
Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.3750, down $.0750 from a week ago and blocks closed at 
$1.3600, down $.0800. 


WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.5025-1.7600     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.5575-2.0025     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.7375-1.9575     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.7475-1.9075     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.9575-3.3875     


1530CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov 605-557-7010
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