MD_DA851 Cheese Highlights Report 27 - Released on July 9, 2021 Cheese sales have picked up in the Eastern and Midwestern regions, while Asian exports continue to keep Western producers busy. Milk remains widely available for Class III production nationwide. Spot milk prices in the Midwest ranged from $6 to $4 under Class. In comparison to the past two years, prices are higher on average. In fact, in 2019 and 2020, during week 27, prices reached or exceeded flat Class. Cheese supplies are mixed from balanced to tighter, week to week. Production has been very busy. That said, labor and staffing shortages are, and have been, a growing concern for cheese plant management. Cheese market tones have found some inspiration following the holiday weekend. Information for the period July 5 - 9, 2021, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: The CME weekly average for cheese barrels was $1.5550, compared to $1.4955 last week. The weekly average for blocks was $1.6919, compared to $1.5435 a week ago. 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