Dairy Markets Week in Review
Holiday buying and continued export demand sent dairy prices higher this week, but the market is under pressure. Block cheese closed the week at $2.0550 per pound, up 4 1/2-cents on the week, and 65 1/2-cents above a year ago. Barrel started the week, dipping to $1.90, but rallied and closed Friday at $2.0025, up 9 cents on the week, and 60 1/4-cents above a year ago. Three cars of block traded hands on the week and 11 of barrel.
The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $1.8660, down 0.6 cent. Barrel averaged $1.9098, up 0.7 cent.
Butter closed Friday at $1.3850, up 7 cents on the week, and 5 1/2-cents above a year ago. Thirty four cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.2681, up 0.2 cent. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged 2.0660, up 2.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 42.12 cents, down 1.3 cents on the week.
The big news was nonfat dry milk. Cash Grade A powder plunged 11 cents October 25, then lost 7 cents Friday November 2, and both Grade A and Extra Grade dropped 8 cents Monday, dipping to $1.85.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.