Newsprint manufacturers are disappointed with the outcome of 2014 price negotiations on the market in Germany. Most paper mills have missed their price targets by miles, as they had initially hoped to raise standard newsprint prices to €500/t and above.
At the end of the day, only full-year contracts have experienced a palpable increase in sales prices for standard newsprint. Prices in first-half contracts remained virtually unchanged compared to the second half of the last year.
Demand for newsprint is said to be satisfactory in the moment but not overly so. According to market experts, newsprint demand is unlikely to see a distinct improvement - the forthcoming events in politics and sports are not expected to make a difference. In addition, there are not enough alternative sales channels in the export business, for example. Suppliers are consequently reconsidering their strategies and adapting their portfolios.
In the job printing business, manufacturers tend to be relatively satisfied with the current demand development. The upward trend in volumes is expected to continue, especially in Central Europe.
