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US recovered fiber prices and demand remained stable through January as buyers fortified inventories ahead of a projected February generation drop. Leading containerboard producers report healthy to heavy raw material levels, especially for old corrugated containers (OCC), ensuring optimal supply despite anticipated seasonal shifts.

Fastmarkets hosted a pivotal discussion recently on the state of the global pulp and paper market. While the calendar pages have turned, the realities outlined during that session have only crystallized further. The pulp industry remains in a precarious balance where supply-side mechanics – rather than surging demand – are dictating the tempo of the market.

US pulp spot markets saw steady movement to start the year, with bleached softwood kraft (BSK) stabilizing and bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) showing improvement. Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) prices held at $700-730 per tonne, unchanged since December, according to Fastmarkets’ latest survey.

As the Nordic and North American timber sectors grapple with sweeping operational changes, mounting trade pressures, and subdued market demand, industry leaders are pivoting strategies to preserve resilience.

Middle East containerboard prices trended downward in December, with both testliner and fluting indices in the Gulf Cooperation Council region posting slight decreases. Market sentiment was shaped by lower demand, tighter recovered paper supply, and rising transportation costs, as regional producers and buyers looked ahead to anticipated shifts in early 2026.

This Viewpoint is a follow-up to our previous analysis, Buckle up for 2026!, which unravels the turbulent political and economic storms shaking Latin America. Global supply chain realignment The region is entering 2026 in an environment where global competition for energy, critical minerals and strategic supply chains has become central and supply chains are being restructured. These shifts […]