Contrary price trends Although the UK retail market for Cheddar cheese is still showing a growing consumer demand for mature and vintage cheese, recent price trends do not yet reflect this. Mild cheese prices have clearly been firming over recent weeks, with minimum levels of £1,800 per tonne now discussed compared with prices as low as £1,650 per tonne a few weeks ago. In contrast, prices for mature cheese are still showing weak tendencies. Recent quotations for some parcels in the mature sector have slipped down to little more than £2,000 per tonne, although branded and named-creamery origins are still holding at prices well above this. One factor behind these price trends is the carryover of high stocks from the winter and spring which left some makers with stocks of cheese which were well aged but not of the full flavour characteristics demanded by discerning retailers and consumers. The position is also partly explained by lower milk output over the past two months which has enabled manufacturers to bring their production levels more into line with demand for mild cheese and, pushed on by rising milk prices in the spot markets, they have been seeking a more adequate return for their lower make of mild cheese. Stocks of cheese intended for the mature market are still high, however, and will take some time to work off before lower manufacturing levels make these stocks come more into line with demand. This suggests the premium for everyday mature cheese will continue to narrow for some weeks yet as mild prices continue to firm and mature supplies stay ample. {{CANNED GOODS }}

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