The market for unbleached kraftliner in Germany remains under supply pressure. Weakening deliveries are contrasted by relatively abundant supplies.
Market observers in Germany attribute the sluggish demand to kraftliner converters having fairly full warehouses as well as increased efforts at substitution. Last year the weakness was still being concealed by the departure of Peterson, market insiders report. In addition, further volumes from overseas were increasing supplies as EUWID respondents reported an "export boom” for US kraftliner in the summer.
The slight price mark-ups that resulted from the spring negotiations had melted away. Realistically, further price concessions in small steps seem possible given these market conditions. On the other hand, producers are expecting prices to stabilise because the US economy is picking up steam and less kraftliner is being exported to Europe.
