Kraft sack paper producers have no concrete plans to hike prices in the coming quarter, but do not rule out the possibility for a price increase next year.
After a late summer start, demand for kraft sack paper in Germany noticeably picked up later in the third quarter, as is typical for the main season. "Order figures look quite good for most sales markets", one manufacturer told EUWID. Lead times for unbleached kraft sack paper were as much as six weeks and up to eight weeks for bleached grades.
As was becoming evident in late June and early July, producers entered into the third quarter with unchanged prices. For the time being, manufacturers had no plans to increase prices in the fourth quarter of the year, especially as the low-demand season for kraft sack paper is just around the corner. If the rising price trend for softwood pulp continues and demand picks up in the course of a general economic upturn, it is believed there is a good chance of mark-ups being introduced at the start of the next year.
