Weekly protein digest:fluid milk supplies falter and beef exports are down

The USDA has reported mixed conditions in the dairy industry, with eastern fluid milk supplies tight in some areas due to hot weather impacting cow comfort in Florida. Milk production in the Central region has increased in the north but decreased in the south, while Class I demand has slightly increased as some schools order supplies. Condensed skim markets are stable with some customers requesting additional spot loads, and cream supplies are slightly increasing. High heat nonfat dry milk (NDM) prices are steady to higher, and market activity is expected to improve ahead of the fall baking season.

US beef net sales for 2020 were down 40% from the previous week and 36% from the prior 4-week average, with increases primarily for China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Mexico, offset by reductions for Indonesia and Chile. Exports of 18,200 MT were down 1% from the previous week but up 2% from the prior 4-week average, with the majority going to South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, and Canada.