The Latest: May - 2026
Dairy Markets Retreat This Week
The dairy markets retreated this week, led by a 6.75ȼ drop in Cheddar blocks. CME spot Cheddar closed at $1.555 per pound, within a tic of its lowest price in two months. Cheesemakers continue to crank out product. Domestic demand is climbing, but not as quickly as production. In the first quarter, U.S. cheese output was 3.1% greater than the year before, while domestic consumption climbed 2.3%. Exports absorbed the surplus and then some. But the industry can’t count on exports to use up our excess cheese unless we’re the world’s least expensive source.
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The phenomenon is certainly not limited to the United States. Market observers watched the Global Dairy Trade index climb on Tuesday by 4.1%, with the index reaching the highest level seen since February 2014.
View reportNearly every product lost ground at the CME as market participants challenged the high product prices seen in recent weeks. However, the butter markets really stole the show.
View reportAt the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction on Tuesday, the GDT Index jumped 4.6% to its highest price since March 2014, led by a 5.6% increase in the price of whole milk powder (WMP). GDT butter and cheese both scored all-time highs, while SMP climbed to prices not seen in nearly eight years.
View reportMarkets 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.
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