Paper producers will try to keep prices stable through the summer
Buyers of magazine paper in Poland expect price reductions in the second half of the year while producers are striving to maintain prices. This could be easier for SC paper, market participants believe. The balance between supply and demand is a bit better and the decline in demand is not quite as severe, according to respondents. Nevertheless, there are customers asking for smaller mark-downs, which would represent a return to the level of 2015.
Of all publication paper segments, the strongest pressure is being felt for coated magazine paper grades. At the beginning of the year, LWC prices in Poland either rose slightly or remained stable. But prices, in particular for LWC offset grades, have been shaky for the past few weeks. According to one market expert, this seems to be turning into a "drama” in which the quotes may ultimately end up not far from prices for SC paper.
