Pulp prices have declined for the second time in a row in December. Market players expect that the trend is not yet terminated.

The downward trend on the pulp market continued in December, with prices falling for both softwood and hardwood grades. Sources believe that the trend might prevail in February, at least for softwood pulp. In addition to full storage facilities at paper mills and port warehouses, buyers cite the large price difference to China.

Hardwood pulp producers were not unhappy with demand in Europe. They concede that stock levels have increased along the entire supply chain but also point to the fact that new capacities, especially for tissue and woodfree speciality grades, will come online in the second half of this year while pulp capacities will remain unchanged.

Source: euwid-paper.com