The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has had a pronounced impact on the packaging industry across the GCC region, sending March containerboard prices and demand soaring. With shipping routes disrupted and fuel costs climbing, packaging producers are facing considerable logistical hurdles. As import delays persist, Saudi Arabia has seen a surge in containerboard demand, with orders increasingly redirected to local mills. Meanwhile, UAE fuel prices have jumped by 72%, though Saudi prices have remained stable despite volatility in global oil markets.

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, set to take provisional effect in 2026, aims to reduce trade barriers between the two regions. However, the deal faces significant opposition from environmental groups and EU agricultural sectors. For the pulp and paper industry, the effects will be phased in over several years, with an analysis by Cepi showing that tariff reductions will be gradual, eventually benefiting about 85% of EU pulp exports and 90% of paper and board exports.

Discover the latest tissue paper market trends in China. Learn why China tissue jumbo roll prices are fluctuating and what it means for buyers and mills.

Crop-based biodiesel became cheaper than fossil diesel in the EU for the first time on Thursday April 2, when premiums for core crop grades FAME 0 (fatty acid methyl ester 0) and RME (rapeseed methyl ester) over ICE gasoil fell into negative territory.

Fastmarkets has suspended the publication of 10 of its CFR Jebel Ali steel pipe prices, effective April 7.

Fastmarkets has decided to launch a bi-weekly price assessment for Chinese grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) on Friday April 17. The decision follows a one-month consultation period which ended on April 4. The demand for GOES grew alongside the rapid expansion of industries such as power transmission, energy storage, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and electric vehicle (EV) […]

The publication of Fastmarkets’ nickel and cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) payable indicators on a CIF China, Japan and South Korea basis on Thursday April 2 was delayed because a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Logistics disruptions, sharply higher freight costs and limited raw materials supply are among the main impacts from the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran on the Middle East's steel market, Asam Hussain, the chief executive officer of Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), told Fastmarkets on Wednesday April 1.

See how surging fuel costs and inflation reshape North American paper and board markets. Read our analysis of the oil shock impact on paper packaging. Read more.

Fastmarkets proposes to amend the publication times and holiday pricing schedule for a number of its base metal assessments for the Asian market, with the proposed changes to come into effect from Monday May 18.