Kraft paper prices are rallying, Wilde also reports. List price of 70-lb grocery bag rose $20/ton to $745/ton in December and extensible multiwall sack 50-lb rose $40/ton to $935/ton. Longview Fibre recently announced a second price hike of $50/ton on extensible as well as on its unbleached and bleached kraft paper grades, effective January 1, Wilde notes. The latest price hike, he adds, is driven by strong mill backlogs (northern extensible producers = approximately two months, southern = 3 - 4 weeks), improved demand, and a surge in input costs. Prospects for January price hike are encouraging, Wilde says. "We think at least $20 - $30/ton of the hike is likely to be 'recognized.' "

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