The Latest: May - 2025
Cheese Exports Are Booming
Even after the runup, U.S. cheese in the cheapest in the world, and exports are booming. The trade is searching for the price at which international buyers start to look elsewhere or simply make do with less. But prices may already be high enough to deter domestic demand. U.S. cheese consumption held steady in 2024, and it was down 0.8% year over year in the first quarter. With Cheddar north of $1.90, retailers will keep the cheese case stocked, but they probably won’t feature any promotions.
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Markets are swinging wildly from heart-stopping highs to stomach-churning lows and back again. But unlike thrill rides, the dairy markets are breaking new ground.
View reportPrices are high and extremely volatile as the trade assesses how long global milk output will remain depressed and whether demand will hold firm despite the rising cost of dairy.
View reportThe dairy markets are full of Christmas cheer for producers, while dairy buyers are grunting “Bah! Humbug,” into their egg nog. The milkfat market is especially festive and the whey market just keeps climbing.
View reportLower milk production abroad will make more room for U.S. dairy product exports, even if the global appetite for dairy products fades modestly.
View reportFrom the darkest corners of the Board of Trade building, the bears whispered their concerns about the health of the global economy and accelerating inflation. But their warnings were drowned out by the stamping of hooves as the markets shot enthusiastically upward.
View reportChurns made just 159.4 million pounds of butter in October, down 1.6% from a year ago. Stiff competition for cream and supply chain tangles likely kept a lid on output in November as well.
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