Report 9 – Released on February 28, 2019

WESTERN OVERVIEW:

Recent milk production in some of Western Europe, certainly in Germany, is increasing more week to week than at this point in 2018. The most recent two weeks with early reporting data registered increases of 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent. Relatively mild weather has been welcome in this regard. Cheese stocks continue to be reported at a lower than desired level. Manufacturing schedules continue to strain to keep up with demand using available milk. Some contract deliveries are behind schedule. A number of manufacturers who have had to draw down aging stocks to keep up with commitments would welcome being able to keep more cheese in aging programs. EU cheese exports for 2018 increased 0.5 percent from 2017 according to CLAL. Cheese production for 2018 increased 0.3 percent.

EASTERN OVERVIEW:

Cheese production in Poland increased 1.9 percent during 2018 according to CLAL. Cheese exports from Poland during 2018 decreased 1.4 percent from 2017. Top destinations included Germany, +10.4 percent; Czech Republic, +21.6 percent; Italy, +7.2 percent; and Slovakia, +3.0 percent. Information for the period February 18 – March 1, 2019,