MD_DA770 Lactose - Central and Western U.S. Report 36 - Released on September 03, 2020 Prices for lactose are steady to lower, moving down at the top of both the price range and mostly price series. Spot sale prices are trending lower from levels seen several months ago. But spot market activity is relatively quiet as market participants work on Q4 contracts. Manufacturers report buyers have mixed responses to their offers. In some cases, end users are not hesitating to make their purchases, but are asking to increase volumes of the offered lactose. In other cases, end users push back at the price offered and expect concessions. The varied views of the market seem indicative of the challenges faced by many in an uncertain economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; end users need to get the right amount of necessary ingredients and accurately predict demand for their finished goods. Many manufacturers report lactose inventories are well-balanced. However, some industry contacts say there has been an increase in lactose offers in the spot market. Lactose production is steady. Prices for: Central and Western U.S., Spot Sales And Up to 3 Month Contracts, F.O.B., Conventional, and Edible Lactose Price Range - Non Pharmaceutical; $/LB: .4000 - .6350 Mostly Range - Non Pharmaceutical; $/LB: .4450 - .5750 Information for the period August 31 - September 4, 2020, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: GLOBAL DAIRY TRADE (GDT) EVENT At the GDT Event 267 on September 1 the lactose price for the October contract period was $0.5960 per pound, up 0.8 percent from the last GDT event. Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI MIKE BANDLI, (608)422-8592 Email: mike.bandli@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