The Latest: July - 2026
Milk is Starting to Feel Tight
Milk is starting to feel tight. Summer temperatures have reduced milk yields, and USDA reports that “some plants are noting lighter production, with insufficient supply to run full loads.” Fairlife is once again taking as much milk as possible, alleviating the temporary surge in spot milk sales. This week, spot milk changed hands at $1 to $5 premiums in the Central region, the loftiest late-July markups in at least a decade.
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Fears that the meteoric rise was all sparkle and no substance were doused by buyer’s willingness to step in and make a purchase, rather than sit on the sidelines and let the selloff run its course.
View reportA steep decline in milk output in May likely slowed cheese production and tightened the supply of fresh cheese for sale in Chicago today, prompting the remarkable run in the spot market.
View reportAfter a few days romping around LaSalle Street, they left abruptly. By Thursday the market had run out of positive fundamental news with which to fill their troughs.
View reportThe markets sprinted straight uphill on Monday and with amazing stamina and speed, they maintained their frantic pace. They finally tired on Friday and despite the late-week retreat, the total mileage is impressive.
View reportThe pandemic sickened the dairy markets in April, creating immense pain on the farm. But there are better days ahead.
View reportThe inverted futures curve highlights that the fresh cheese shortage is likely temporary. But immediate demand must be formidable if we have managed to tighten up fresh cheese inventories so quickly after piling up cheese in immense volumes last month.
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