During the first eight months of 2001, butter imports, subject to licensing requirements, totaled 13.1 million pounds versus 12.2 million during the comparable 2000 period. Along with quota butter, 24.3 million pounds of high-tier or over quota butter entered the U.S. compared to 94,000 pounds during January August 2000. Overall butter orders have slowed somewhat following national issues of the past two weeks. Retail orders have basically remained seasonally steady, although food service orders are lighter. The cheese market is unsettled to weak.
Consumer demand continues to be affected by the events in the East.
Offerings are generally adequate for needs though some tightness is still occasionally noted on certain current varieties and Swiss. Buyers are trying to limit inventory with most spot purchases for immediate needs. CCC offers for sale its remaining 4.9 million pounds of inventory with offers due October 9. Milk production patterns in most areas of the U.S., outside of the Southwest, are increasing seasonally. In the Northeast, milk output is rebounding and milk supplies are not as tight as they have been.