MD_DA431
DA
MD DA431 BUTTER - CENTRAL 

MADISON, WI. March 01, 2017 (Report 9)

Cream is plentiful for butter makers in the Central U.S. Although 
Class II producers are also showing increasing interest in cream, 
some butter makers report the abundant cream supply has not deviated 
from previous weeks. Demand for butter in the Central region is 
strengthening. Spring holiday orders are in full swing. Print and 
bulk butter production is up, corresponding to the demand and the 
cream supply. Some butter producers are beginning to increase bulk 
inventories for the fall. The market tone is steady. DMN National 
Retail Report-Dairy for February 24-March 2 noted the national 
weighted average advertised price for a 1 pound package of butter is 
$3.15, $0.16 below one week ago, but $0.19 higher than one year ago. 
The weighted average regional prices in the Midwest and South Central 
were $2.99 and $3.35, respectively. The NASS Cold Storage report 
noted U.S. butter stocks as of January 31, 2017 were 223.1 million 
pounds, up 16% from last year and up 34% from last month. Bulk stocks 
in all warehouses were 192.1 million pounds last year at this time. 
This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests 
for 52,360 pounds (23.75 metric tons) of butter. So far this year, 
the program has accepted assistance requests for 1.375 million pounds 
of butter. Bulk butter prices reported ranged from 2 to 6 cents over 
the market, with various periods and averages used. Wednesday at the 
CME Group, Grade AA butter closed at $2.2325, up $.1150 from last 
Wednesday.


1530CT Israel.Weber@ams.usda.gov (608)422-8601
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