Market Pulp Prices Easing

Pulp prices are easing in both softwood and hardwood grades, according to Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. No major producer has yet announced August "list" price cuts for hardwood in the U.S., Wilde notes, adding that spot prices, however, are off $20 - $30/metric ton in most grades.

Wilde further reports that in Europe, Fibria has announced a $30/metric ton price cut on BEK. In the softwood arena, he says, producers have announced a $30/metric ton price cut for August. In China, weak demand and rising inventories have pulled prices down. Two other issues are pressuring the market, he points out—ripples from a sharp decline in spot dissolving pulp prices and integrated papermakers selling more market pulp.

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