The Latest: September - 2026
Relentless Growth in Milk Output
Relentless growth in milk output and sky-high components kept dairy manufacturers busy in July. Dairy processors made 2.1% more cheese and 5.5% more butter than in July 2025. Domestic demand is not keeping pace with this growth, and neither are exports. Despite another month of record-smashing cheese shipments, year-over-year growth in January through July cheese exports was 19.5 million pounds smaller than the increase in cheese output.
View Report
Although 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.
View reportCheddar blocks have lost ground every day since they topped out less than two weeks ago. Still, there is more than enough cheese to meet demand, even if manufacturers dug into inventories last month.
View reportOn Monday they sprinted straight uphill to a record-shattering price. Their journey to that point is an astounding feat of strength and stamina but by the end of the week, prices had fallen far enough to attract buyers.
View reportIn an environment as fickle as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, bulls are not typically bred for their stamina. But in the Cheddar block market there is a bull of a different breed.
View reportAlthough there is plenty of milk, there is a shortage of fresh cheese and demand remains resilient despite the price.
View reportFears 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 report