MD_DA440  
DA 
MD DA440 BUTTER - WEST 

MADISON, WI.  September 16, 2015 (REPORT 37)

WEST BUTTER

Butter makers report adequate cream supplies for churning. The reduction of 
cream demand for ice cream and the seasonal increase in skim milk bottling 
has created greater availability of cream for western butter makers. 
Production is steady or increasing in many butter plants. Although some bulk 
butter is being produced, the focus is on print butter. Industry contacts say 
consumer demand is strong and sales have been good. Some processors are 
running at full production and building inventory for Q4 sales.

The DMN National Retail Report - Dairy for the week of September 11 - 17, 
found that the U.S. weighted average advertised price of 1 pound butter is 
$2.97, up $.02 from one week ago but down $.62 from one year ago. 
In the Southwest, the weighted average advertised price for 1 pound butter 
was $2.84 with a price range of $2.47 - $3.48, and in the Northwest, $3.22 
with a price range of $2.30 - $3.99. 

Bulk butter pricing in the West this week is 4 cents under market to 3 cents 
above, based on the CME Group with various time frames and averages used. 

The Grade AA butter price at the CME Group on Wednesday closed at $2.6250, up 
$.1525 from a week ago.


               2015 U.S. Butter Imports (USDA-FAS)
                  (Million Lb.)       % Change From   % of 
                                      1 Year Ago      Yearly Quota

Aug  Quota Imports   0.5              - 62               3

Jan. - Aug  
High Tier           12.4              + 713              N.A.
Quota Imports       11.8              + 3                76

1530CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7010
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