MD_DA851
DA
MD DA851 CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS 

MADISON, WI   December 06, 2013   (REPORT 49)

CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS:  

Cheese prices continued to struggle to find stability this week.  
Last week's holiday shortened trade was higher, raising wholesale 
prices this week.  Cheese production was up due to increased 
available milk supplies over the holiday.  Demand for block 
cheese is strong as retailers look to restock shelves.  Last 
minute purchases for holiday gift boxes also added to demand.  
Export demand is good and some manufacturers report tight 
inventories available for increased orders.  The NASS Dairy 
Products report released this week had October 2013 total U.S. 
cheese production at 950.1 million pounds, 2.1% higher than year 
ago levels.  Early week trading at the CME Group was higher on 
unfilled bids, but turned lower on Thursday with blocks and 
barrels both lowering prices.  Barrels closed the week on Friday 
at $1.8325, up 5.5 cents from last week's close on Wednesday.  
Blocks closed Friday at $1.8725, down 0.75 cents from last 
Wednesday.  
 

1200c  Robert.Hunter@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4158	
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews
Dairy Market News database portal: www.marketnews.usda.gov/portal/da