Dairy Prices Slide, Exports Shift, and Inventories Tighten

ZISK
5 days ago
1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Dairy product markets softened in October as U.S. prices for butter, cheese, and most powders weakened sharply compared to last year. Butter fell nearly $1 per pound, Cheddar dropped by 50 cents, and 40-pound blocks fell more than 40 cents, reflecting both ample domestic availability and slower product movement. These price declines come even as some value-added dairy exports continue to grow impressively.

June–August dairy export data reveal major gains in high-value categories: butter exports surged 162 percent, American-type cheese shipments jumped 129 percent, and Cheddar exports climbed 131 percent from last year. However, large declines in skim milk powder exports and modest drops in whey protein exports signaled uneven global demand.

Inventories also played a role. Dry skim milk stocks finished August down 12 percent from last year, and dry whey stocks fell 16 percent, tightening supplies in key ingredients despite weaker spot prices.

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