MD_DA410 Butter - Eastern U.S. Report 21 - Released on May 24, 2023 Cream is readily available in the East. Market contacts have shared that they are operating strong production schedules, however some have indicated that there is scheduled plant downtime for the upcoming holiday weekend. Butter inventories remain strong, with some reports that contacts are still freezing butter in bulk. Retail demand is noted to be strong as seasonal baking interests have been piqued. Additionally, many retail ads are featuring butter. Food service demand is moderate, as some consumers have perceived recent menu price increases as a deterrent. Prices for: Eastern U.S., All First Sales, F.O.B., Grade AA, Conventional, and Edible Butter Bulk Basis Pricing - 80% Butterfat $/LB: +0.0500 - +0.1000 Information for the period May 22 - 26, 2023, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests for export assistance on contracts to sell 55,000 pounds (25 metric tons) of butter (82 percent milk fat). So far this year, the program has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 594,000 pounds of butter in export markets. Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI ISABEL MCNEILL, 608-422-8594 Email: Isabel.McNeill@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