USDA Central States Print Butter                   03/18 13:55
AMS_1089 MARS

Butter - Central U.S.

Released on March 18, 2026

Milk output is strong in the Central region and contacts say component levels 
remain up from last year. Contacts say there is plenty of milkfat available for 
cream production. Demand for cream from Class II and Class III processors is 
strong and stakeholders say most of their cream continues to pour into these 
markets. Churns are active in the region, but butter makers continue to use 
internal volumes to run full schedules, rather than purchasing spot cream. Some 
butter makers say transportation and staffing issues caused by a winter storm 
early this week, caused some down time in the upper Midwest, but they plan to 
run busy schedules for the remainder of the week. Retail butter interest is 
steady, but contacts report soft food service demand. High transportation costs 
are negatively impacting export demand somewhat, but contacts say butter 
produced in the U.S. remains discounted to loads produced in other countries, 
and export sales are strong overall. Spot loads of 80 percent butterfat butter 
are available, while 82 percent butterfat inventories remain tight.

Prices for: Central, All First Sales, F.O.B., Grade AA, Edible Butter

Basis Pricing - 80% Butterfat:               0-0.1


Information for the period March 16 - 20, 2026, issued weekly