All dairy pricing trends are based on USDA and CME data as of April 1, 2026.
Butter
The butter market dipped slightly over the past week. The USDA reported that butter output was 6% higher year-over-year in January, and up 11.5% from December. This trend of higher output should continue into April, as butterfat remains available and churns are running near capacity, according to analysts.
Cheese
The CME block market continued to trade within a fairly narrow range this week. The U.S. has seen several months of record cheese sales, thanks to a compelling discount compared to other major world exporters, which has prevented domestic stockpiling, as production rates continue to climb, according to analysts.
Shell Eggs
Urner Barry reported that all shell egg markets were down sharply over the past week, as Easter and Passover orders have largely run their course, and foodservice demand remains limited, resulting in building supplies, according to analysts. The USDA is reporting 37 confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in commercial flocks over the last 30 days, impacting nearly 5.22M birds.
Milk & Cream
Domestic milk production continues to be strong, and milk component levels have increased. Butterfat content remains at record levels; January milk output jumped 3.2% year-over-year; and domestic dairy herds increased 14K head in January to 32-year highs, according to the USDA. Historically, cheap feed costs and increased beef-on-dairy revenue have helped dairy farmer profitability, keeping slaughter rates below average, according to analysts.