The Latest: July - 2024
Dairy Markets Heat Up Amid Tight Supply
As befits the season, the dairy markets heated up this week. The trade is becoming increasingly concerned that milk will remain tight, as a hot summer, avian influenza, and the heifer shortage overpower market signals to make more milk. U.S. milk output totaled 18.8 billion pounds in June, down 1% from the year before. In the first half of the year, the U.S. dairy industry made 0.9% less milk than in the first six months of 2023 and marked its lowest first-half production since 2020. Of course, thanks to higher components, U.S. milk solids and butterfat output continues to outpace year-ago volumes, but not by enough to satisfy U.S. dairy processors.
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Although things had started to bounce back in June, the fledgling economy recovery seems to have stalled in July as the virus rages on. The initial panic has calmed, but the pandemic will continue to disrupt the dairy industry in myriad ways.
View reportCheddar blocks have lost ground every day since they topped out less than two weeks ago. Still, there is more than enough cheese to meet demand, even if manufacturers dug into inventories last month.
View reportOn Monday they sprinted straight uphill to a record-shattering price. Their journey to that point is an astounding feat of strength and stamina but by the end of the week, prices had fallen far enough to attract buyers.
View reportIn an environment as fickle as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, bulls are not typically bred for their stamina. But in the Cheddar block market there is a bull of a different breed.
View reportAlthough there is plenty of milk, there is a shortage of fresh cheese and demand remains resilient despite the price.
View reportFears that the meteoric rise was all sparkle and no substance were doused by buyer’s willingness to step in and make a purchase, rather than sit on the sidelines and let the selloff run its course.
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