MD_DA851 Cheese Highlights Report 49 - Released on December 6, 2019 Cheesemakers are taking on plenty of milk in all regions. Therefore, Class III production has picked up following the holiday week. Some Midwestern cheese plant managers said they allotted time off during Thanksgiving week, even with milk prices as low as $5 in the Midwest. Now, spot milk prices rebounded on quiet spot trading, with a tighter range of Class to $2 under Class being reported. Milk prices are generally on par with the past two years during week 49. Pizza cheese producers are expecting some upcoming ordering strength. That said, cheese demand is mixed, as buyers expect a potential price depression. However, block prices have seen more up than down this week, and barrels have only slightly come down from Monday after a bullish/short holiday trading week. Western inventories are available, therefore some market contacts feel current prices are not on par with supply. Information for the period December 2 - 6, 2019, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: The CME weekly average for barrels is $2.2485, compared to last week's average of $2.1942. The average price of cheese blocks is $1.9595, compared to $1.9250 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: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN MARS (My Market News): https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov