MD_DA851

     Cheese Highlights

     Report 16 - Released on April 19, 2019

     Northeast and Midwest cheese demand reports were stable to improved this week, while Western
     cheese outfits suggested sales were mixed. Curd and specialty cheese producers are seeing
     some seasonal ordering pushes. Curd producers have suggested end of April and May orders are
     particularly healthy this year. Milk is available to fulfill cheesemaking needs nationwide,
     although Midwestern cheese producers suggest it is not as accessible this year when compared
     to recent years. Week 16 reported spot milk prices ranged from $1 over to $3 under Class.
     For some context, last year the spot price range was $2 to $3 under Class. Cheese production
     is generally steady throughout the country, but Western producers are aware of long
     inventories and are have made plans to reduce output. Cheese markets are a bit shakier this
     week. Block prices have been generally positive, while barrel prices on the CME slipped,
     reintroducing market participants to a growing price gap.

     Information for the period April 15 - 19, 2019, issued weekly

     Secondary Sourced Information:

     On the CME, the weekly average barrel price was $1.5750, compared to $1.5955 last week. The
     weekly average block price was $1.6619, compared to $1.6490 last week.

     Published by:
     Dairy Market News - Madison, WI
     ISRAEL WEBER, 608-422-8601
     Email: israel.weber@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