MD_DA751 Casein - National Casein Report for U.S. Imports Report 18 - Released on May 06, 2021 The acid casein price range is mixed, stronger at the low end but steady at the top. Rennet casein prices increased at each end of the range. Casein manufacturers and buyers view the price strength as to be expected considering the wider strength of dairy powder prices. In the Western European market for rennet casein, Q3 contracting activity has continued to lock in substantial volumes of anticipated production. Q3 pricing is trending higher. New Zealand seasonal production is mostly committed. While the potential for prices moving higher is a matter of discussion, most participants expect pricing to at least maintain near current levels. Prices for: Spot Sales And Up to 3 Month Contracts, Free on Board - Warehouse, Non- Restricted, All Mesh Sizes, Conventional, and Edible Casein Acid; Price Range - $/LB: 4.2000-4.3200 Rennet; Price Range - $/LB: 3.7300-3.8200 Information for the period May 3 - 7, 2021, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: After a slow January and February start to 2021, U.S. casein imports, imports January – March 2021, 13,000 MT, increased 28.3 percent from January – March 2020 according to CLAL data made available to USDA. The top sources, volumes and percent change January – March 2021 compared with January – March 2020 are New Zealand, 5,938 MT, +5.30 percent; Ireland, 2,911 MT, +44.51 percent; Argentina, 1,665 MT, +33.20 percent; and France, 1,648 MT, +58.07 percent. Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI Eric Graf, 608.422.8590 Email: Eric.Graf@usda.gov Additional Dairy Market News Information: Dairy Market News (DMN) by Phone: (608)422-8602 DMN Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN MARS (My Market News): https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov