For the fourth consecutive week butter prices have decreased. Cream prices are also continuing to fall. Abundant inventories are expected to handle holiday demand with ease. Cream supplies are so strong that experts are predicting supplies will be excessive after the holiday demand subsides. The result to food service operators should be attractive cream and butter prices.
Most cheese markets are steady.
However, for the first time in six weeks the American Cheese market has taken a slight increase. Holiday demand for cheese is good and cheese cutters are extending their schedules to meet the demand. Producers who have inventory are not anxious to sell anticipating that the markets could be on the rise shortly, thus positively influencing the value of their inventory. Regardless, cheese prices are much lower than last year at this time. Blue cheese supplies are extremely tight with some packers shorting product.