USDA Oceania Cheddar Cheese 04/23 10:05

AMS_1082 MARS

Cheese - Oceania

Released on April 23, 2026

Cheddar cheese prices remained steady during the reporting period. Processor 
prices edged slightly lower compared to both the previous month and the same 
period last year. A major New Zealand dairy cooperative reports that the 
forecast total offer volume for cheddar over the next 12 months remains 
unchanged. 

Cheddar prices strengthened across all contract periods at Global Dairy Trade 
(GDT) Event 402. Total volume sold was comparable to both Event 401 and year 
earlier levels. The June contract recorded the largest increase at 1.9 percent 
and represented the highest trade volume. Combined, the May and June periods 
accounted for 68 percent of all cheddar sales. Price indices for May, July, and 
September rose between 0.2 percent and 0.7 percent, while no product was 
offered for August or October delivery. The Middle East emerged as the leading 
buyer of cheddar, followed by Europe.

Prices for: Oceania, 39% Maximum Moisture, Free on Board - Port Cheese
Price Range - Dollars per Metric Ton: 4750 - 4900


Information for the period April 13 - 24, 2026, issued biweekly

Secondary Sourced Information:

According to Dairy Australia, cheese production in Australia in December 2025 
totaled 44,954 metric tons (MT), an increase of 1.1 percent compared to 
production totals in December 2024. Australian cheese production from July - 
December 2025 totaled 240,817 MT, an increase of 0.2 percent compared to 
production totals from July - December 2024.

Recently released export data from New Zealand showed March 2026 cheese export 
volumes were 34,481 MT, a decrease of 14.2 percent from the year prior. Export 
volumes of cheese from January-March 2026 were 111,632 MT, down 4.3 percent 
from the same time frame a year ago.

At GDT Event 402 on April 21, 2026, the average cheddar price index across all 
contract periods increased to $4,798 MT, a 1.1 percent gain from the previous 
event. The May contract averaged $4,755 MT, with its index rising 0.4 percent. 
Additional cheddar pricing details are available at 
https://www.globaldairytrade.info/en/product-results/cheddar/.

[0600059B]