Demand is on the rise for natural, ‘authentic’ cheeses and convenient formats.

Imagine cheese carefully handcrafted by someone trained in a top artisanal cheesemaking course in Wisconsin. The individual is so passionate about cheeses that each vat of curd is stirred by hand, and the product is closely monitored throughout the entire cheesemaking process.

There is widespread comfort with current conditions in the cheese industry. Prices have been moving within a narrow trading range and cheese manufacturers are happy to take additional volumes of milk.

 Sales are up for makers of natural cheese slices, chunks and shreds, while the processed cheese category continues to struggle. 

In this week's Dairy Market News, the USDA reports cheese market price gyrations are creating more uncertainty, a tightening of milk supplies in the East, and firming butter prices. Foodservice orders are at good levels as restaurants prepare for the summer vacation season.