UK printing and writing paper prices falling across the board in July

摘要

The coronavirus crisis and the associated restrictions on economic and social activity have culminated in much weaker demand for printing and writing paper in the UK. While demand has been slowly recovering since June, it is still significantly weaker than it was at the start of March. Publication paper prices came under pressure in this market climate, with second-half agreements sometimes containing considerable price cuts. Not only are list prices for woodf ree coated and uncoated paper prices foundering in July; discounts and special prices are also frequently being offered in a tug-of-war for big orders. New licences for importing recovered paper into China were issued in June, perhaps the last ever. Chinese buyers have become a little more active again as a result, which is keeping export prices for OCC stable. By contrast, the lower end of the bracket for mixed paper is trending towards zero again.