The Latest: March - 2026
Fresh Infusion of Global Turmoil
The dairy markets are contending with an abundance of milk and a fresh infusion of global turmoil. That amped up the volatility on LaSalle Street. CME spot Cheddar blocks came out strong on Monday and rallied to a four-month high at $1.63 per pound. But as the week wore on, blocks’ enthusiasm waned. They settled today at $1.53, down 8.75ȼ for the week. “Export cheese demand is strong, but some contacts are concerned that rising shipping costs will negatively impact international interest.” American cheese remains the least expensive option, but with both the dollar index and cheese prices up sharply from where they stood a few weeks ago, some international buyers may no longer view it as a bargain.
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The U.S. dairy industry has expanded cheese processing capacity noticeably, and it shows. The flush has accelerated and, according to USDA’s Dairy Market News, cheese makers are “busy.”
View reportThe bulls continued their leisurely stroll through the dairy pits this week and the milk markets moved higher.
View reportSpring is here. Tankers are lining up at milk powder plants around the nation. A shortage of trucks and drivers is complicating the annual rush to move milk from regions with surplus to regions with spare balancing capacity. Milk powder demand remains strong as whey futures reached 14-year highs early in the week but then retreated.
View reportUSDA announced that it would end the Farmers to Families Food Box program after May, squelching hopes surrounding the government spending that propelled the cheese and Class III markets to unsustainable heights in 2020.
View reportNearly all products gained ground at the CME spot market with the exception of Whey. The other spot dairy products moved decisively upward.
View reportWith milk production expected to stay strong, dairy product production will continue to be robust. This aggressive production threatens to overhang the market unless demand can demonstrate a meaningful and sustained expansion.
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