Market participants report reduction in export prices for mixed paper and board and old corrugated containers due to slower demand from Asia.
After rising significantly in August, recovered paper prices in France started retreating again in September. This was especially true for ordinary grades. The main factor contributing to this decline was the reduction of prices on the Far East export market, all market participants agreed. Furthermore, price levels in August had been very high so the downward correction came as no surprise, to market participants.
Supplies of ordinary grades of recovered paper were described as "somewhat weak" or "average" at the beginning of September. In general, there appear to be no problems with sourcing raw materials, even though some buyers may have been wishing for more abundant supplies.
Asian buyers were scaling back their purchases in France in September after a temporary boom in August. Exporters explained that following increases in July and August, prices in the USA had fallen again, so Asian customers were once again turning their attention away from the European markets.
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