The Latest: January - 2026
After Catching a Quick Breath…
The dairy markets have been swamped under a tidal wave of milk and are now fumbling around for the bottom. After catching a quick breath last week, spot nonfat dry milk (NDM) slipped back under the surface, falling a penny to $1.255. CME spot butter bounced back from multi-year lows, climbing 5.5ȼ to $1.355 per pound. And CME spot Cheddar blocks continued to sink, falling 2.5ȼ to $1.29. Meanwhile, whey remained buoyant. Spot whey powder rallied 3.5ȼ to 73.5ȼ.
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Over the past year, the dairy markets have exhibited extreme volatility, adjusting to drastic shifts in both supply and demand. Consumer behaviors are shifting back towards something that resembles pre-pandemic times.
View reportWith a sense of normalcy restored, and the spring flush rapidly approaching, milk is still plentiful and has resulted in copious dairy product production.
View reportMany plants are keeping busy schedules as they attempt to compensate for last week’s closures, while displaced spot loads of milk and cream continue to search for homes.
View reportThough it will take some time for the impacts of the weather to become fully appreciated, a reduction in milk production and increase in culling is likely in the coming weeks.
View reportInventories for most dairy products remain heavier than typical for this time of year. Nevertheless, the situation is evolving and tighter markets could be on the horizon.
View reportPrices fluctuate as new market information collides with the realities of supply and demand. Reports indicate that milk production continues to exceed prior year levels and is growing seasonally as spring approaches.
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