Quarterly Commodities Outlook is available for free now.  Download your report  →

StoneX logo

Early Morning Update - October 2, 2023

By: Dairy Team - Chicago, Dairy Chicago

Class III and Cheese futures closed mixed Friday with nearby contracts bouncing and more deferred 2024 contracts falling. Spot cheese stabilized Friday with barrels gaining a penny to close at $1.4800 on 4 trades. Blocks opened and closed unchanged at $1.7200. The barrel market bounced on the prior Friday too as end of the week buy side interest perks up in a falling market. Broadly speaking, however, the storyline to end Q3 was one of rather quiet fresh cheese demand. Pressure on the cheese market during September likely came from lack of exports back in August and a lack of worry from domestic buyers in September. While end-users have likely put up a good deal of cheese this year, seasonally demand ought to improve over the next 30-45 days.

 

image-20231002062926-1image-20231002062926-2

 

Class III and Cheese trade volumes were moderate Friday with over 1,600 Class III and 638 Cheese contracts changing hands amid rising open interest (+225 Class III, +45 Cheese). Directionally, however, nearby contracts for both remain technically bearish (down) though some ‘oversold’ technical conditions developed in earnest last week. While we can’t argue with the tape – cheese prices did fall materially in September – we question sell side liquidity on both cheese and nearby futures contracts heading into a new quarter. History doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, but if you remember selling dried up fairly quickly in early July when from Q2 into Q3 this year. Even if that doesn’t happen, we do expect buyers to become more aggressive given the rather quick price adjustment this time of year.

 

After printing an all-time record high price of $3.3350 last Thursday, Spot butter fell 3.5 cents on a single trade Friday. Is this the chink in the armor of the butter bull rally? We don’t know. Seasonally prices could remain aloft here for a few more weeks regardless if that number is $3.30 or $3.10. Futures would have you believe the latter having sold off the past few days (particularly November on back). In fact, of the 320 trades for butter Friday, 173 came in the October contract alone as open interest continued to rise there. No doubt the big part of the move has likely happened and now the market may want to find a place to stablize price action and determine who has and who needs what. After a bid move like butter has seen, however, sharp declines are highly possible.

 

NFDM has by and large stood idely by watching new lows for Class III/Cheese and new highs for Butter. Spot NFDM is quietly rising – with a new 4-month high price to close out the week and the quarter – but futures were more sideways directionally the last week or so. While sell side liquidity in derivative markets (both here and EU) are rather light, buyer worry is also in somewhat short-supply. We’ve worked down inventories of NFDM, but there doesn’t seem to be a clear path higher presently. So the futures chop – having bottomed last month – and wait on fresh news.

 

We may get that news tomorrow with the GDT auction event. SGX futures have been over estimating GDT  results for the last few events. Currently, futures are pricing in a roughly 6% increase for  the GDT index. Weather conditions in New Zealand have deteriorated a bit with the pasture growth index  (30-day rolling basis) dipping below year ago in  late September. We could still see some mildly  positve YoY gains for Sep/Oct, but it looks like  the dairy cow herd is down 1% or more which  will help to pull production down this season. China is celebrating their Golden Week holiday next week. It will be interesting to see what North  Asia participation looks like.

 

image-20231002062926-3

  • Dairy

This material should be construed as the solicitation of an account, order, and/or services and represents the opinions and viewpoints of the individual authors or presenters. It does not constitute an individualized recommendation or take into account the particular trading objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual customers.


The views are current only through the date stated and are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and StoneX Group Inc. (“SGI”) disclaims any responsibility to update such views. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. Past performance does not guarantee future results.


The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided.


References to certain OTC products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets, LLC (SXM), a member of the National Futures Association (NFA) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ and who have been accepted as customers of SXM.


StoneX Financial Inc. (SFI) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Advisor. StoneX Financial (Canada) Inc. (SFCI) is registered in Canada and is a member of CIRO and CIPF. References to certain securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to certain exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI. Wealth Management is offered through SA Stone Wealth Management Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor, both wholly owned subsidiaries of SGI.

R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC (RJO) is registered with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and is a member of NFA.


StoneX Financial Ltd (SFL) is registered in England and Wales, company no. 5616586. SFL is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (registration number FRN:446717) to provide services to professional and eligible customers including: arrangement, execution and, where required, clearing derivative transactions in exchange traded futures and options. SFL is also authorized to engage in the arrangement and execution of transactions in certain OTC products, certain securities trading, precious metals trading and payment services to eligible customers. SFL is authorized and regulated by the FCA under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 for the provision of payment services. SFL is a category 1 ring-dealing member of the London Metal Exchange. In addition SFL also engages in other physically delivered commodities business and other general business activities which are unregulated and not required to be authorized by the FCA.


This communication is issued in the European Economic Area by StoneX Financial Europe GmbH (SFEG). StoneX is the trade name used by STONEX GROUP INC. and all its associated entities and subsidiaries. StoneX Financial Europe GmbH (“SFEG”) is a securities trading firm registered in Germany under Company No. HRB 80844.


StoneX Financial Pte Ltd (Co. Reg. No 201130598R) (“SFP”) is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a Capital Markets Service Licence holder (for dealing in capital market products), an Exempt Financial Adviser (for advising on investment products and issuing or promulgating analyses/ reports on investment products) and a Major Payment Institution (for domestic and cross-border money transfer services).


SFP may distribute analysis/report produced by its respective foreign affiliates within the StoneX Group of companies pursuant to an arrangement under Regulation 32C of the Financial Advisers Regulations Recipients should contact SFP at (65) 6309 1000 for any matters arising from, or in connection with, this webinar.


StoneX APAC Pte. Ltd. (“SAP”) (Co. Reg. No 200616676W) is regulated as a Dealer (PS20190001002) under the Precious Stones and Precious Metals (Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2019 for purposes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.


StoneX Financial (HK) Limited (CE No.: BCQ152) (“SHK”) is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for Dealing in Securities and Dealing in Futures Contracts.


StoneX Financial Pty Ltd (ACN 141 774 727) holds an Australian Financial Service License (AFSL: 345646) for Dealing in Securities, Exchange-Traded Derivatives Contracts, OTC Derivatives Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts, and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.


StoneX Securities Co., Ltd. (“SSJ”) (Co. Reg. No 010401047199) is regulated by the Japanese Financial Services Agency as a Type-I Financial Instruments Business Operator (Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO)No.291’), is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan for dealing and broking FX and FX Option transactions, and is a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association for dealing and broking stock indices and option transactions.


Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance of any futures or option is not indicative of future success. Indicators are not a trading system and are not published as a specific trade recommendation. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.


The report/analysis herein is not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation.


© 2026 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Satellite view of Earth at night showing illuminated cities across Asia and the Middle East

Discover more insights

Our subscribers have access to comprehensive market analysis from StoneX spanning commodities, equities, currencies and more.

StoneX: We open markets

Our market expertise, advanced platforms, global reach, culture of full transparency and commitment to our clients’ success all set us apart in the financial marketplace.

Reach

With access to 40+ derivatives exchanges, 180+ foreign exchange markets, nearly every global securities marketplace and numerous bi-lateral liquidity venues, StoneX’s digital network and deep relationships can take clients anywhere they want to go.

Transparency

As a publicly traded company meeting the highest standards of regulatory compliance in the markets we serve; our financials and record of accomplishment are matters of public record. StoneX’s commitment to “doing the right thing over the easy thing” sets us apart in the industry and helps us build respect, client trust and new partnerships.

Expertise

From our proprietary Market Intelligence platform, to “boots on the ground” expertise from award-winning traders and professionals, we connect our clients directly to actionable insights they can use to make more informed decisions and achieve their goals in the global markets.