The average material prices are listed by school year (SY) and used by processors participating in the USDA Foods processing program.
SY 2027
SY 27 Cheese Pricing Process
We have updated the USDA process of cheese valuations to be used on the summary end product data schedules (SEPDS) for the purpose of rebating or discounting finished product prices for USDA Foods. The value will be a 24-month average based on the pounds purchased and prices paid by USDA for purchase orders in the date range, 10/2023 - 09/2025. A 24-month weighted average was set to use more current data to arrive at the average price and to provide for stable valuation in a volatile market.
If you have any questions, please contact NPA@usda.gov.
SY 2026
SY 26 Cheese Pricing Process
We have updated the USDA process of cheese valuations to be used on the Summary End Product Data Schedules (SEPDS) for the purpose of rebating or discounting finished product prices for USDA Foods. The value will be a 24-month weighted average based on the pounds purchased and prices paid by USDA for Purchase Orders in the date range, 10/2022 - 09/2024. A 24-month weighted average was set to use more current data to arrive at the average price and to provide for stable valuation in a volatile market.
The mozzarella will be valued separately from other cheeses. A processed cheese hybrid price has been set using 24 months of data from the Cheese Natural American FDB Barrel -500lb (110242), Cheese Process Yellow Slice (100018) and Cheese Blend American Skim (100036). We then calculated the 24-month weighted average for Cheese Mozzarella Part Skim Unfrozen Processor Pack UNWRAPPED (110244) and Cheese Mozzarella Part Skim Unfrozen Processor Pack WRAPPED (111791).
Therefore, the average weighted price for SY 2026 is $1.8444 for mozzarella and for all $1.9915 other cheese.
SY 2025
SY 25 Cheese Pricing Process
We have updated the USDA process of cheese valuations to be used on the Summary End Product Data Schedules (SEPDS) for the purpose of rebating or discounting finished product prices for USDA commodities. The value will be a 24-month weighted average based on the pounds purchased and prices paid by USDA for Purchase Orders in the date range, 10/2021 - 09/2023. A 24-month weighted average was set to use more current data to arrive at the average price and to provide for stable valuation in a volatile market.
The mozzarella will be valued separately from other cheeses. A processed cheese hybrid price has been set using 24 months of data from the Cheese Natural American FDB Barrel -500lb (110242), Cheese Process Yellow Slice (100018) and Cheese Blend American Skim (100036). We then calculated the 24-month weighted average for Cheese Mozzarella Part Skim Unfrozen Processor Pack (110244).
Therefore, the average weighted price for SY 2025 is $2.0065 for mozzarella and $2.1037 for all other cheese.