The Latest: August - 2026
The Epitome of Stability
There’s an unusual convergence in the dairy markets, with spot cheese, butter, and milk powder trading neck and neck in the $1.50s. All three products seemed pretty comfortable at these prices, and week-to-week changes were modest. CME spot butter slipped 0.25ȼ to $1.5125 per pound. Cheddar blocks fell 1.75ȼ to $1.555. Meanwhile, CME spot nonfat dry milk (NDM) climbed 1.75ȼ to $1.5775. The epitome of stability, CME spot whey powder inched up 0.25ȼ to 69.5ȼ.
View Report
Those markets that gained ground last week gave some of it back this week, while last week’s losers are now on the rise.
View reportCME spot Cheddar blocks soared to the largest single-session increase on record. Barrels followed reluctantly and the block-barrel spread gaped. The market is on tenterhooks to see whether blocks will move lower or barrels higher to close the gap.
View reportDairy producers are doing their best to top up the bulk tank while the futures promise decent Class III values. Cheesemakers are going strong, and they report that cheese is moving apace.
View reportThe 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 report