MD_DA751

     Casein - National Casein Report for U.S. Imports

     Report 14 - Released on April 04, 2019

     Prices for rennet casein and acid casein firmed this week. Some buyers who had been holding
     back following recent price increases are now more open to closing sales because they expect
     there will be less potential for any abrupt price decline in the near term. Price levels
     have been moving higher. Current rennet casein pricing compared with one year ago, showing
     the change in the low end of the price range, then in the top end, is $0.5175-$0.5925
     higher. Acid casein is $0.1450-$0.0300 higher comparing the low end, then the high end.

      Seasonal factors in New Zealand and the EU are holding global casein production lower. The
     milk production season in New Zealand is declining from the December peak month, moving
     closer to June, typically the low month. This generally leads to lower casein production. EU
     milk production is seasonally increasing, but still recovering from the unexpected decline
     during January.

      All of this suggests that casein production in coming months will not boost available
     stocks too much beyond what is already committed. Buyers who know they will need casein, and
     have not locked in contracts, are securing commitments now. Wait and see is not much in
     play.
     Prices for: Spot Sales And Up to 3 Month Contracts, Free on Board - Warehouse, Non-
     Restricted, All Mesh Sizes, Conventional, and Edible Casein

     Acid; Price Range - $/LB:                    3.0950-3.2300
     Rennet; Price Range - $/LB:                  2.8675-3.2925


     Information for the period April 1 - 5, 2019, issued weekly

     Secondary Sourced Information:

     At GDT event 233 on April 2, 2019, the all contracts price for rennet casein, $3.0405
     increased 7.5 percent. The May contract price, $3.2908, increased 5.6 percent.
     Published by:
     Dairy Market News - Madison, WI
     Eric Graf, 608.422.8590
     Email: Eric.Graf@usda.gov

     Additional Dairy Market News Information:
     Dairy Market News (DMN) by Phone: (608)422-8602
     DMN Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy
     DMN MARS (MyMarketNews): https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/