The Latest: April - 2026
Milk Powder Market Sprinting Straight Uphill
The milk powder market is sprinting straight uphill. Nonfat dry milk (NDM) rallied another 8.5ȼ this week and reached $2.20 per pound, the highest-ever price in the product’s 18-year tenure at the CME spot market. The short squeeze continues. USDA’s Dairy Market News reports that spot loads are tight from coast to coast, and they’re “particularly difficult to find in the Central region” where the expansion in cheese processing capacity has reduced the need for balancing. Even as milk production ramps up for spring, dryers in the region are running somewhat light.
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The cheese markets stand well below the summer peaks but have made a surprisingly quick return to the lofty elevations from a month ago. Despite the impressive uphill sprint, the trade is clearly questioning the cheese market’s stamina.
View reportSteep losses at mid-week and a Friday rebound added up to net gains across the board.
View reportCheddar markets lost a lot of ground, but tried to put up a fight. Barrels regained some territory signaling that the market is fumbling about for fair value.
View reportCheesemakers are still going strong, and spot milk continues to move in the Midwest. However, demand is lackluster with foodservice outlets pulling back on orders in some areas.
View reportAlthough cheese prices are much lower now than they were in June, cheese vats remain full. The other dairy markets tumbled this week as well and the futures bled copious red ink.
View reportAlthough 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.
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