How is 2009 Ending?

The year of 2009 is closing out in a "hold" position. Because U.S. milk prices are primarily determined by cheese prices, most of the comments below relate to factors that influence cheese prices.


The U.S. dollar's value leveled off versus other currencies in the last few months. A weaker dollar improves cheese exports and reduces cheese imports.

The New Zealand Dollar that was strengthening in the first three quarters of 2009 has leveled off and even weakened a little in the last two months. A weaker New Zealand Dollar makes New Zealand cheese cheaper on the global markets.




As a result, cheese imports have leveled off. They are below the highs at the beginning of 2009, but are only slightly above the 2008 levels.


Cheese exports have also leveled off. They are not near the highs reached in 2008, but they have moved off the lows from early 2009.



In the November 19 post the correlation between cheese prices and U.S. per capita consumption was established. In late 2008, after many months of $20/cwt milk prices, cheese prices established new highs, reducing consumer consumption. Those cheese prices have now fallen to the historical trend prices and consumption can be expected to increase.



The USDA outlook for milk cows continues to forecast a very significant decrease in inventory. By the third quarter of 2010, the inventory is expected to drop to 8,950,000 cows.

A new report on cheese inventories is expected next week. Cheese inventories have been very high and must be reduced before a real recovery in cheese prices can be sustained.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheese prices have plateaued at levels much higher than in early 2009.

Statistics for the dairy industry have improved significantly from the first part of 2009, but appear to have leveled out well below the 2008 highs.

In early 2010, I will post the significant data for 2009 in final form. There will be no posts during the upcoming holidays. Have a safe and happy holiday. New posts will be available for your viewing in early 2010.

November Component Prices Improve

November Class and Component prices were announced today. As expected, they showed continued upward movement in all components and milk prices. Protein moved from $2.56/lb to $2.70/lb on the strength of the NASS Cheese price of $1.52/lb. Butterfat moved from $1.28/lb to $1.47/lb.



Class III milk prices increased from $12.82/cwt to $14.08/cwt in line with the increase in components.

CME block cheese prices have continued to advance and with the key NASS survey lagging about 2 weeks behind the CME prices, December should show continued improvement.