MD_DA851

     Cheese Highlights

     Report 49 - Released on December 7, 2018

     Milk availability for cheese production is finding some balance nationally. Central contacts
     point out in some areas, milk is becoming a little more difficult to obtain. Reported spot
     milk prices ranged from $1 over to $3 under Class. Domestic and international cheese buyers
     are purchasing on a hand-to-mouth basis, as total inventories are heavy. On the production
     side, holiday orders are adding a day to weekly schedules, while a number of cheesemakers
     are ebbing production shifts in order to manage inventory levels. Long cheese inventories
     and trade issues are keeping bearish pressure on cheese markets, as CME barrel prices are on
     pace to have their lowest yearly CME average since 2009. Contacts suggest lower cheese
     prices internationally are adding to the strife.

     Information for the period December 3 - 7, 2018, issued weekly

     Secondary Sourced Information:

     Friday¶s closing price for CME barrels is $1.2225, compared to $1.3150 last week. CME
     blocks¶ closing price is $1.3500, compared to $1.3600 in week 48.

     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