MD_DA851 Cheese Highlights Report 12 - Released on March 22, 2019 Barrel markets are showing real promise of late, as they vie to close the long-running gap with the CME block price. Barrel and curd producers in the Midwest are reporting positive sales numbers and near-future demand growth, along with balanced inventories. Northeast and Western cheese demand reports point to a general stability. Milk remains available, as reported spot milk was $.50 under to $2 under Class. Cheese production is steady to increasing nationwide. Eastern contacts suggest their cheese stores are steady to growing, while Western cheesemakers say demand is stable enough to alleviate some of their concerns about long inventories. Cheesemakers are hopeful regarding spring. Holidays, basketball playoffs, more grilling and outdoor/community events are some of the demand-related benefits of the season. Information for the period March 18 - 22, 2019, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: Friday¶s closing price for CME barrels is $1.5650, compared to $1.4925 last week. CME blocks¶ closing price is $1.5700, compared to 1.5600 last Friday. Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI ISRAEL WEBER, 608-422-8601 Email: israel.weber@ams.usda.gov Additional Dairy Market News Information: Dairy Market News (DMN) by Phone: (608)422-8602 DMN Website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN Database Portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home