MD_DA811                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA811 Cheese - Foreign Type                                   

MADISON, WI.  January 28, 2015 (REPORT 4)                        

FOREIGN TYPE CHEESE                                              
                                                                 
Domestic foreign type cheese prices moved lower this week, while Swiss 
and Imported prices were unchanged.  Wholesalers are busy finishing up 
last minute orders prior to the Super Bowl.  Most cheese varieties, 
including imported varieties are readily available.  The downward trend 
in dairy commodities and the likelihood of future price declines have 
prompted wholesale buyers to be cautious in their purchases and not to 
over order or to build inventories extensively in the near term.  
According to FAS, imports of high tier and quota Italian-type cheese from 
January through December 2014 totaled 31.6 million pounds, up 3% compared 
to last year. Imports of quota Italian-type cheese for December totaled 
2.4 million pounds, 12% lower than last year.  Imports of high tier and 
quota Swiss/Emmenthaler varieties from January through December 2014 
totaled 50.4 million pounds, 12% more than last year. Imports of quota 
Swiss/Emmenthaler for December totaled 5.5 million pounds, 52% higher 
than last year.  
                                                                 
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: FOB DISTRIBUTORS DOCK                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS, MIXED LOTS)               
                           :           NEW YORK                  
VARIETY                    :    IMPORTED     :    DOMESTIC       
                           :                 :                   
Blue                       :  2.6400-5.3800  :  2.0125-3.5000*   
Gorgonzola                 :  3.6900-6.4900  :  2.5200-3.2175*   
Parmesan (Italy)           :       -0-       :  3.4025-5.4925*   
Provolone (Italy)          :       -0-       :  2.0550-2.3075*   
Romano (Cows Milk)         :       -0-       :  3.2025-5.3525*   
Sardo Romano (Argentine)   :  2.8500-4.4900  :       -0-         
Reggianito (Argentine)     :  3.2900-4.7500  :       -0-         
Jarlsberg-(Brand)          :  2.9500-6.2500  :       -0-         
Swiss Cuts Switzerland     :       -0-       :  4.2025-4.5250    
Swiss Cuts Finnish         :  2.6700-2.9300  :       -0-         
* = Price change.                                                

2014 U.S. Cheese Imports (USDA-FAS)
                  (Million Lb.)       % Change From   % of 
                                      1 Year Ago      Yearly Quota
Dec. Quota Imports   28.9               + 69             10
Jan. - Dec.    
High Tier            29.8               +  9             N.A.
Quota Imports       200.0               + 17             67

1100C rick.whipp@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4151
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-
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