MD_DA840                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA840 Cheese - West                                           

MADISON, WI.  October 18, 2017 (REPORT 42)                       

WEST CHEESE 
                                                     
Industry contacts report that cheese supplies are mixed in the West. Some processors 
have lower inventories while others have plentiful supplies. In some areas, older 
stocks of cheddar blocks are sold at relatively lower prices. Domestic sales are 
solid. Production is steady and more than enough to meet end-users/buyers needs. Most 
manufacturing plants are running close to full capacity. According to a number of 
market participants, the demand for cheese will pick up for the holidays. The market 
undertone is steady. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week of October 13-19 
shows the U.S. weighted average advertised retail price for an 8 ounce pack of natural 
shredded cheese is $2.14, down $.33 from last week. Packs average $2.14 in the Southwest 
and $1.90 in the Northwest. One year ago, the national price was $2.30. For 8 ounce 
blocks, the U.S. price is $2.23, down $.29 from last week. Blocks average $2.17 in the 
Southwest and $3.00 in the Northwest. One year ago, the national price was $2.45. In the 
West, wholesale prices were down $.0200 for process, and down $.0025 for cheddar block, 
cuts, and Monterey Jack. Swiss cut wholesale prices are unchanged from last week. This 
week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests for export assistance on 
contracts to sell 965,625 pounds (438 metric tons) of cheese. So far this year, the 
program has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 56.193 million pounds 
of cheese in export markets. In CME Group trading Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.6800, 
down $.0350 from a week ago and blocks closed at $1.7200, down $.0375. 
 
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND          
(1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                                  
                                                                 
Process 5# Loaf                              : 1.7825-2.0400     
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.8650-2.3100     
Cheddar 10# Cuts                             : 2.0450-2.2650     
Monterey Jack 10#                            : 2.0550-2.2150     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                    : 2.7400-3.1700     

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