MD_DA810 Cheese - Northeastern U.S. Report 3 - Released on January 16, 2019 Cheese production continues to be strong in the Northeast. Milk is available in the region, and extra loads are clearing into manufacturers' intakes. Many operations are at full capacity at this time. Inventories are fairly stable to growing at a steady rate. Retailers' regular cheese orders are good, however there are some reports of weaker domestic demand as holiday sales have passed. Currently, the CME group cheddar cheese block and barrel price spread is very wide. Market participants report there is heavy cheese production and lower demand. Overall, prices are weakening. Furthermore, there are some reports of decreased export interest from some markets. However, many dairy contacts relay they are not purchasing on the spot market and waiting to see where the prices lead. Northeast wholesale cheese prices for cheddar and Muenster shifted down by $0.0300, moreover the process cheese prices moved down by $0.0375. The Grade A Swiss price is unchanged this week. National Retail Report Dairy ± Cheese Summary Advertised Prices at Major Retail Supermarket Outlets ending during the period of 1/11/2018 to 1/17/2018 Cheese 8 oz. Blocks Weighted Average Price National This Period Last Week Last Year Organic n.a. n.a. $2.99 Conventional $1.91 $2.27 $2.03 Regional (Conventional) Wtd. Ave. Low High Northeast $2.16 $1.66 $2.50 Southeast $1.86 $1.23 $2.99 Cheese 8 oz. Shred Weighted Average Price National This Period Last Week Last Year Organic $2.49 n.a. $2.99 Conventional $2.32 $2.06 $2.18 Regional (Conventional) Wtd. Ave. Low High Northeast $2.55 $1.66 $3.49 Southeast $2.28 $1.88 $3.00 WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED DOLLARS PER POUND(MIXED LOTS (1000-5000 POUNDS)) Cheddar 40 pound Block 1.8450-2.1300 Muenster 1.8300-2.1800 Process American 5 pound Sliced 1.3975-1.8775 Swiss 10-14 pound Cuts 3.1750-3.4975 Information for the period January 14 - 18, 2019, issued weekly Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI JESSICA MUELLER, 608-422-8589 Email: Jessica.Mueller@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