Containerboard Markets Tightest in 15 Years

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Industry fundamentals remain strong: box shipments +4.8% y/y in April, operating rate = 95%, domestic and offshore supplies are tight, he says. "While the debate about box prices remains lively, the reality is that box prices are indeed heading upward."

Conditions aren't tight just in the U.S. Most European producers have announced a third price increase of EUR 50/ metric ton on unbleached kraft linerboard, effective June 1. For U.S. exporters, strengthening of the dollar against the Euro will trim any benefit from the Euro price increase. OCC prices to China continued falling, with prices down $5/ton this week (-$50/ton since May and -$90/ton from mid-March levels of $290/ton). Domestic OCC price fell $10/ton in May, Wilde reports.