Markets
Cheese markets saw strong activity with little price change, while U.S. milk production in March rose 0.9% year-over-year.
Early day buying had May Class III milk touching over $18.50, a level we haven’t seen since late February.
Class III futures climbed over $1 this week, even as spot cheese slipped, with low prices helping to boost demand.
Class III milk futures slipped as barrel prices softened, but steady powder markets and a weaker dollar hint at potential support from export opportunities.
With the May pricing period now underway and futures starting the week at a discount, May cheese and Class III contracts rallied to bridge the gap.
Friday saw most commodities except milk trading green, but today flipped the script, with spot cheese pulling us higher.
Tariff tensions with China sent ripples through the whey market, dragging down spot and futures prices and putting pressure on Class III milk contracts.
While markets responded positively to yesterday’s news of delays, continued pressure on China leaves the future of dairy prices up in the air.
Class III futures saw a strong rebound with significant gains in May and June contracts, while cheese prices edged higher, despite ongoing U.S.-China tariff tensions impacting dairy markets.
Cheese and Class III futures rallied on stronger spot prices, even as rising trade tensions with China and looming tariffs stirred market uncertainty.
After weeks of heavy spot trade, Monday brought a calmer, mostly green day to dairy markets, with cheese leading the rebound despite ongoing tariff tensions and early futures pressure.
Class III milk futures slipped lower Wednesday as China’s 34% reciprocal tariffs sent shockwaves through whey, soybeans, cattle, energy, and stock markets.
There was red almost across the board today as the market finally got a little clarity around tariffs following yesterday’s announcement.
Global price disparities and anticipation surrounding President Trump’s tariff announcement kept the industry on edge.
After yesterday’s muted session, CME cheese markets had a much busier day today.
Technical difficulties delayed the CME spot trade on Monday, preventing a smooth spot trade.
Across the dairy complex, sellers came armed with product to move and buyers had their checkbooks out.
Class III futures were slightly lower after a spot cheese session that saw large volumes of product change hands.
Manufacturers appear to have ample supply, leading them to the spot market to offload inventory.
Dairy markets do not seem too concerned about U.S. milk production growing at its fastest pace in two years.
Futures markets had a tame day ahead of USDA’s Milk Production report.
As the first major day of the NCAA March Madness tournament kicked off on Thursday with heroes, upsets and Cinderella teams, markets had their own version.
Low prices triggered buyer interest in spot blocks, which climbed up to $1.6050 per pound, three cents higher, with seven loads trading.
Class III futures are down again, with May taking the biggest hit, down 25 cents on the day.
There is no doubt there will be significant volatility this year. Politics, equity markets, weather, supply, and demand will all affect the markets
A strong pinch is in order for dairy markets this Saint Patrick’s Day, with no green on the board.
CME cheese markets moved upward. Spot blocks climbed to $1.7350 per pound, up 3 cents, and barrels closed at $1.7300, 6 cents higher.
The Class III complex opened with continued strength from yesterday, propelled by anecdotal news of cheese being sold above spot market prices.
Last week, the U.S. dollar had the worst week-to-week performance since 1995 and that, combined with global dairy price premiums, should spark some export interest and support domestic prices.