MD_DA811                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA811 Cheese - Foreign Type                                   

MADISON, WI.  March 11, 2015 (REPORT 10)                         

FOREIGN TYPE CHEESE  

Domestic foreign type cheese prices moved higher for the third consecutive 
week.  Domestic Swiss cheese prices moved substantially lower following the 
change in the Class/Component prices.  Imported cheese prices were 
unchanged.  Inventories of imported cheeses were worked lower over the 2014 
yearend holiday period.  Importers have taken advantage of the strong dollar 
and some excess supplies in Europe, due to the Russian ban, to rebuild 
stocks.  According to FAS, imports of high tier and quota Italian-type 
cheese from January through February 2015 totaled 4.7 million pounds, up 
64% compared to last year. Imports of quota Italian-type cheese for 
February totaled 1.4 million pounds, 173% higher than last year.  Imports 
of high tier and quota Swiss/Emmenthaler varieties from January through 
February 2015 totaled 8.3 million pounds, 41% more than last year. 
Imports of quota Swiss/Emmenthaler for February totaled 4.3 million 
pounds, 57% 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  :  2.0900-3.5775*   
Gorgonzola                 :  3.6900-6.4900  :  2.5975-3.2950*   
Parmesan (Italy)           :       -0-       :  3.4800-5.5700*   
Provolone (Italy)          :       -0-       :  2.1325-2.3850*   
Romano (Cows Milk)         :       -0-       :  3.2800-5.4300*   
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-       :  3.5325-3.8550*   
Swiss Cuts Finnish         :  2.6700-2.9300  :       -0-         
* = Price change.                                                

2015 U.S. Cheese Imports (USDA-FAS)
                  (Million Lb.)       % Change From   % of 
                                      1 Year Ago      Yearly Quota
Feb. Quota Imports   14.6               + 39              5

Jan. - Feb.    
High Tier             5.0               + 18             N.A.
Quota Imports        25.6               + 24              9

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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