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Softwood pulp price hike plans revealed, but hardwood pulp not expected to see upward movement

Some key producers of bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) have announced higher March 1 prices for China, following US$10/tonne increases in February, and Canadian and European northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) producers may also follow,…

Some key producers of bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) have announced higher March 1 prices for China, following US$10/tonne increases in February, and Canadian and European northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) producers may also follow, according to sources familiar with the market.

There are mixed comments as to whether BSKP producers will try to raise March prices in other markets. Some said they are waiting for the January market pulp statistics to be released in February by the Pulp and Paper Products Council (PPPC).

Also sources note that the weak Canadian dollar is already advantageous to Canadian exporters.

There is no talk about bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP) producers raising March prices, but rather, since new capacity is expected to reach markets soon, about whether they can maintain current prices going forward, especially in the China and Europe markets.

In North America, the BHKP market is in better shape than elsewhere, although BSKP remains relatively stronger.