Pulp prices have not changed in March although some NBSK producers tried to lift prices. The outlook for the industry is quite unclear.
Buyers and sellers on the pulp market quickly agreed to leave prices for bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp untouched in March. Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp prices were the subject of more intense negotiations. A few suppliers had once again tried to charge more, albeit with little success. NBSK pulp prices thus cost the same in March.
A few market observers think that prices for the two benchmark grades will remain stable into the third quarter. However, most sources believe that anything is possible. The first hikes in BEK pulp prices have apparently now been announced in Asia. It is completely unclear whether higher prices will take hold and if so, create momentum in Europe too.
As regards the demand situation, welcome growth in demand in a few segments is coinciding with significant downturns in other sectors.
This article is an excerpt from EUWID's monthly report on the pulp market.
Read more on the demand situation and find the EUWID Price Watch Pulp for March in EUWID Pulp and Paper issue no 16/2020, which will be available to our e-paper and print subscribers as of 16 April.
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