MD_DA431
DA
MD DA431 BUTTER - CENTRAL 

MADISON, WI. November 18, 2015 (Report 46)

CENTRAL BUTTER 

In the Central region, butter production is steady. Some plant 
managers indicate they would like to have more cream, but light to 
moderate spot cream availability is curtailing production. During the 
upcoming week, some butter plants will close for an extended period, 
lessening overall regional cream demand. Butter demand is steady to 
higher. A few retailers who were awaiting a much anticipated pre-
holiday decline in prices have relented and placed orders to cover 
retail butter needs through the balance of Q4. Despite the latest of 
these orders, the timing allows for production and shipping ahead of 
the year's end. Manufacturers' inventories are light to moderate, with 
most manufacturers indicating inventories are not worrisome. The DMN 
National Retail Report-Dairy for November 13-19 noted the national 
weighted average advertised price for a 1 pound package of butter was 
$2.85, down $0.23 from a week ago, and $0.78 lower than a year ago. 
The weighted average price in the Midwest region was $2.63, and in the 
South Central region, $2.61. The CME Group Grade AA butter market 
closed Wednesday at $2.8850. This is unchanged from last Wednesday. 
Bulk butter prices range from 4 cents under to 7 cents over the 
market, based on CME Group prices and various indices. 
               2015 U.S. Butter Imports (USDA-FAS)
                  (Million Lb.)       % Change From   % of 
                                      1 Year Ago      Yearly Quota

Oct Quota Imports    1.0              +  46.8             6.6

Jan - Oct  
High Tier           16.6              + 283.9             N.A.
Quota Imports       13.4              +   4.0             87.1


1500CT Janet.Linder@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7003
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