MD DA451   
DA 
MD DA451 BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS

June 14, 2013 MADISON, WI (REPORT 24)

BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS:  

Butter production varies across the country.  Churn operators indicate cream 
is available and they are sending some cream through the churns.  Bulk butter 
production currently outpaces print butter as retail demand is slow to 
develop.  Cream demand from ice cream/soft serve accounts is higher this week 
and luring cream loads away from butter production in all regions.  Overall 
butter production is lower for the week.  A few plant operators are 
purposefully selling cream into those markets to rein in butter inventory 
buildup.  Bulk butter markets are diverse.  Market participants found West 
bulk butter clearing at 5 cents under, Central butter pricing is flat, and 
East butter sales garnered up to 8 cents over the market.  CME Group activity 
for the week netted a one cent decrease to Grade AA butter.  Three sales 
transactions were finalized during the week.  


1200CT  janet.linder@ams.usda.gov   608.278.4157