MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  September 13, 2017 (REPORT 37)                     

WEST CHEESE    

Western cheese production is active, following its normal seasonal course. Most 
facilities are running at or near full capacity. Domestic sales continue to follow a 
steady trend. As cheese prices vary from day to day, interest from buyers fluctuates as 
well. Contacts report that the competition with the European cheese market remains 
active. Current cheese supplies are greater than demand, resulting in a buildup of 
inventories. The market undertone seems to be for the most part stable. The DMN National 
Retail Report-Dairy for the week of September 8-14 shows the U.S. weighted average 
advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural shredded cheese is $2.26, down 
$.03 from last week. Packs average $1.99 in the Southwest and $2.61 in the Northwest. One 
year ago, the national price was $2.18. For 8 ounce blocks, the U.S. price is $2.20, down 
$.03 from last week. There were no advertised ads for cheese blocks in the Southwest. 
Blocks averaged $2.47 in the Northwest. One year ago, the national price was $2.10. In 
the West, wholesale prices were up $.0575 for process, and up $.0975 for cheddar block, 
cuts, and Monterey Jack. Swiss cut wholesale prices are unchanged from last week. In CME 
Group trading Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.5000, down $.0800 from a week ago and 
blocks closed at $1.6150, down $.0250. 

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.6400-1.8975     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.7525-2.1975     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 1.9325-2.1525     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 1.9425-2.1025     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.8500-3.2800     

2017 U.S. Cheese and Curd Exports (USDA-FAS)

                 2017 Exports      % Change From 
                 (Million Lb.)       1 Year Ago

July                 60.1            + 14

TOTAL, JAN - JUL    441.5            + 22
 1 Mexico           132.4            + 14
 2 South Korea       74.3            + 45
 3 Japan             44.1            + 15
 4 Australia         32.1            + 70
 5 China             16.1            + 31

2017 U.S. Cheese and Curd Imports (USDA-FAS)
(Imports for Consumption)
                                           2017 Imports      % Change From
                                           (Million Lb.)       1 Year Ago

July Imports
  TOTAL Cheese and Curd (H.S. Code 0406)       30.9             - 13
  Cheese, Except Fresh (H.S. Code 040690)      26.4             - 14
  Fresh Cheese (H.S. Code 040610)               2.7             +  4
  Cheese, Processed (H.S. Code 040630)          1.1             +  7
  Cheese, Blue-Veined (H.S. Code 040640)        0.7             - 10

                                           2017 Imports      % Change From
                                           (Million Lb.)       1 Year Ago
 
TOTAL, JAN - JUL                              224.1             - 12
 1 Italy                                       42.3             +  5
 2 France                                      25.2             -  7
 3 Netherlands                                 17.2             +  7
 4 Germany                                     15.0             + 32
 5 Spain                                       15.0             +  1

1530CT Florence.KoneGonzalez@ams.usda.gov 608-422-8594
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