MD_DA811                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA811 Cheese - Foreign Type                                   

MADISON, WI.  November 18, 2015 (REPORT 46)                      

FOREIGN TYPE CHEESE   

Domestically produced cheese varieties are mostly trending slightly 
higher, registering gains based on lagging prices. Currently, U.S. cheese 
pricing is declining sharply for cheddar blocks and barrels, which often 
foreshadow other cheese pricing movements. Buying interest remains fair 
to good across varieties. Demand for the imported cheese is steady to 
higher where bolstered by holiday buying interest. Prices are holding 
mostly steady. Supplies are adequate for retail and customer needs. 
According to FAS, U.S. quota cheese imports from January to October 2015 
are 21.8% higher than the comparable period in 2014.  
                                           
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: FOB DISTRIBUTORS DOCK                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS, MIXED LOTS)               
                           :           NEW YORK                  
VARIETY                    :    IMPORTED     :    DOMESTIC       
                           :                 :                   
Blue                       :  2.6400-5.3800  :  2.2375-3.7250*   
Gorgonzola                 :  3.6900-5.8900  :  2.7450-3.4425*   
Parmesan (Italy)           :       -0-       :  3.6275-5.7175*   
Provolone (Italy)          :       -0-       :  2.2800-2.5325*   
Romano (Cows Milk)         :       -0-       :  3.4275-5.5775*   
Sardo Romano (Argentine)   :  2.8500-4.9300  :       -0-         
Reggianito (Argentine)     :  3.2900-4.9300  :       -0-         
Jarlsberg-(Brand)          :  2.9500-6.4500  :       -0-         
Swiss Cuts Switzerland     :       -0-       :  3.2975-3.6200    
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
Oct Quota Imports    22.8               + 3.2             7.6

Jan. - Oct    
High Tier            32.2               + 27.9            N.A.
Quota Imports       175.1               + 21.8            58.6

1100C Butch.Speth@ams.usda.gov  608.557.7001
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