MD_DA840 DA MD DA840 Cheese - West MADISON, WI. May 22, 2013 (REPORT 21) WEST CHEESE Wholesale Western cheese prices are mixed as weekly average spot trades from the CME Group continue to move closer together for blocks and barrels. Cheese plants are operating busy schedules to maximize efficiencies. Demand from retail accounts is good with comfortable inventories reported at the plant level. Export demand is increasing as block prices continue to moderate. The CWT program announced assistance with sales of 3.0 million pounds of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese this week. According to NASS, Cold Storage stocks of cheese (total) at the end of April 2013 are 1,120.2 million pounds, 4% higher or 48.1 million pounds more than April 30, 2012. American stocks were 5% higher, and Other Natural stocks were 4% higher than last year. Swiss stocks at the end of April total 27.8 million pounds, down 3% or 1.0 million pounds less than April 30, 2012. April Swiss stocks in storage are 9% less or 2.7 million pounds less than the previous month. The spot cheese price at the CME Group was unchanged on Wednesday. Blocks closed at $1.7600. Barrel prices closed Wednesday at $1.7300. Barrels are off 3 cents from last Friday's close and blocks are 1 cent lower in moderate trading. Wednesday's unchanged market was a break in the up and down pattern of the past two weeks. Barrels and blocks have at least temporarily settled back to a more typical price spread. Sales at the exchange are moderate with five loads of barrels and nine loads of blocks changing hands by midweek. WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED, DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS) Process 5# Loaf : 1.8675-2.1250 Cheddar 40# Block : 1.8925-2.2450 Cheddar 10# Cuts : 2.0725-2.2925 Monterey Jack 10# : 2.0825-2.2425 Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9# : 2.9700-3.4000 1500C Robert.Hunter@ams.usda.gov 608.278.4158