Cash cheese trading at the CME Group in Chicago ended with mixed price movements on September 24, 2026, as barrels held steady while 40-pound blocks recorded a decline. The latest figures were reported by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Dairy Market News in its CME Group cash trading report.
Barrels closed at $1.4525 per pound, unchanged from the previous session. In contrast, 40-pound blocks finished at $1.3275 per pound, down $0.0300 per pound from the prior close.
The trading session was conducted on a carlot basis, with individual units representing approximately 40,000 to 44,000 pounds. Prices were reported in U.S. dollars per pound, while the change figures reflected movement from the preceding trading session.
CME Cheese Prices on September 24
| Cheese product | Closing price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Barrels | $1.4525/lb | Unchanged |
| 40-pound blocks | $1.3275/lb | -$0.0300/lb |
The contrasting movements highlight differences within the cash cheese market. While barrel prices remained stable, the decline in block values indicates softer pricing for that product category during the session.
The report, listed as Report 39 in the Dairy Market News cheese series covering CME Group cash trading, did not provide additional information on trading volume, transaction counts or individual market participants. It also contained no forward-looking market guidance or commentary alongside the reported prices.
The underlying trading information comes from CME Group’s Chicago market, with USDA Dairy Market News responsible for disseminating the market report.
Cheese prices remain an important indicator for the broader dairy industry because they influence market conditions for processors, manufacturers, traders and other participants across the dairy supply chain. Changes in commodity cheese prices can also affect the commercial environment for milk producers and dairy processors, depending on product mix, contracts and other market factors.
The wider global cheese market encompasses a broad range of products, including cheese made from whole and skimmed cow milk, whey cheese, processed cheese, buffalo milk cheese, sheep milk cheese and goat milk cheese. Demand is influenced by consumption trends, foodservice activity, household purchases, processing requirements and international trade.
Major dairy and cheese companies operating across global markets include Lactalis, Dairy Farmers of America, Fonterra, Arla Foods, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Saputo, FrieslandCampina, Groupe Bel, Glanbia and Leprino Foods. The global competitive landscape also includes regional cooperatives and specialty cheese producers.
The U.S. market remains an important component of international dairy trade, with cheese production and pricing closely watched by domestic processors as well as international buyers and sellers. CME cash market movements can therefore provide a reference point for participants monitoring near-term commodity conditions.
The September 24 session nevertheless offered limited information beyond the reported closing prices. With no transaction volume or participant data included, the figures primarily indicate the day’s price direction rather than providing a complete assessment of market liquidity or demand.
For dairy industry stakeholders, the key takeaway from the session was the divergence between the two quoted cheese products. Barrels maintained their previous value, while 40-pound blocks experienced a measurable decline.
Market participants will continue to monitor subsequent CME trading sessions, along with milk production, domestic demand, export activity, inventories and broader dairy market developments, to assess whether the movement in block prices represents a short-term fluctuation or part of a wider pricing trend.