MD_DA811                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA811 Cheese - Foreign Type                                   

MADISON, WI.  April 15, 2015 (REPORT 15)                         

FOREIGN TYPE CHEESE                                              
                                                                 
Cheese prices were unchanged for all domestic and imported varieties this 
week.  Retail demand for imported and domestic type foreign cheese is 
leveling off at lower levels following the recent holiday.  European aged 
cheese supplies are rebuilding with current availability relatively low.  
According to FAS, imports of high tier and quota Italian-type cheese from 
January through March 2015 totaled 7.7 million pounds, up 65% compared to 
last year.  Imports of high tier and quota Swiss/Emmenthaler varieties from 
January through March 2015 totaled 12.8 million pounds, 19% more than last 
year.  FAS regulations require 2015 license fee payments be transmitted no 
later than May 1, 2015.  May 1 is also the last transmission date for a 
licensee to notify FAS that they will not accept a license for 2015.

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: FOB DISTRIBUTORS DOCK                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS, MIXED LOTS)               
                           :           NEW YORK                  
VARIETY                    :    IMPORTED     :    DOMESTIC       
                           :                 :                   
Blue                       :  2.6400-5.3800  :  2.1150-3.6025    
Gorgonzola                 :  3.6900-6.4900  :  2.6225-3.3200    
Parmesan (Italy)           :       -0-       :  3.5050-5.5950    
Provolone (Italy)          :       -0-       :  2.1575-2.4100    
Romano (Cows Milk)         :       -0-       :  3.3050-5.4550    
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-       :  3.3500-3.6725    
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

Mar. Quota Imports   18.0               + 45              6

Jan. - Mar.    
High Tier             8.2               + 19             N.A.
Quota Imports        43.6               + 25             15

1100C rick.whipp@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7004
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