The Latest: November - 2026
Spot Whey Powder All Time High
The protein bulls galivanted through LaSalle Street, and CME spot whey powder struck a new all-time high. Spot whey powder jumped 7ȼ this week to 91ȼ per pound. The 8% increase marked the whey market’s first foray into the 90s in its eight-year tenure at the spot market. USDA’s Dairy Market News reports that whey powder demand is “steady to strong.” And some October processing downtime and production issues tightened supplies. Manufacturers continue to concentrate as much whey as possible, but there’s still plenty of raw whey leftover. Through September, whey powder production was up 7.8% year-over-year.
View Report
Pass the egg nog, please. USDA announced the highest Class III price in five years. That’s a lot of Christmas cheer heading for dairy producers’ mailboxes. The butter market, however, is suffering a holiday hangover.
View reportThe gains were driven by impressive improvements in milk production per cow. Higher prices and mild weather have boosted milk output.
View reportSpot Cheddar is still at a rather lofty perch and spot barrels have the highest value in more than five years. The markets are doing their job.
View reportCME spot Cheddar barrels reached a five-year high, then the bids dried up.
View reportThe Cheddar market was already red hot, but barrels pushed the mercury even higher this week.
View reportFresh cheese is tight, and the markets seem to have someone – or several someones – over a barrel. High prices are working to trim demand at the margins, boost production, and attract imports.
View report