MD_DA431
DA
MD DA431 BUTTER - CENTRAL 

MADISON, WI.  March 4, 2015 (Report 9)

CENTRAL BUTTER

Central butter prices moved higher at the beginning of the week, down 
on Tuesday and have not changed through midweek. Retail butter sales 
are increasing as the spring holidays near. Print butter inventory 
levels are average to increasing and available cream is moving to 
churns. Cream levels are mixed as some reports indicate a tight 
market, while others are showing surplus. Bulk butter prices range 
from market to 6 cents over the market, with various time frames and 
averages used. Bulk butter inventories levels are adequate. According 
to the DMN National Retail Report- Dairy, the weighted average 
advertised price for a 1 lb. package of butter in the Midwest was 
$1.99. The national weighted average price is $2.77, a 41 cent 
decrease from last week but 20 cents higher than a year ago. This 
week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests for 
385,809 pounds of butter. The NASS Dairy Products report noted January 
U.S. butter production totaled 179.5 million pounds, up 7.1% from last 
month but 1.6% lower than a year ago. January production in the 
Central region totaled 74.2 million pounds, 4.9% higher than a month 
ago and 4.1% above last year. The CME Group monthly average price for 
Grade AA butter during February was $1.7293, compared to $1.8047 a 
year ago. The Grade AA butter price at the CME Group closed Wednesday 
at $1.7500, a 10.75 cent increase from last Wednesday.



1500CT Tara.Herbst@ams.usda.gov 608-278-4154 
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews
Dairy Market News database portal: 
http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home