Final decision on open consultation on methodology review for Global Pulp

Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for Global Pulp, via an open consultation process between May 23 and June 25, 2025. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.

Full details of the prices covered by this consultation can be found here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/open-consultation-on-annual-methodology-review-for-global-pulp-pricing-notice/

During the consultation, Fastmarkets requested comments on whether current discount levels for US market pulp have grown too high and invited open-ended feedback on potential remedies moving forward.

Feedback from the industry was mixed. Potential remedies suggested by the industry included resetting effective list prices with lower discounts than existing ones, the assessment of net prices on regular contract business, and maintaining the current effective list price system.

Fastmarkets has continued to hear concerns about the widening gap between net and effective list prices and is therefore evaluating market interest in adjusting existing effective list prices to more reasonable levels above net prices. IMPORTANT: Any such initiative would only be carried out in close consultation with industry stakeholders and with significant advance notice.

This consultation sought to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency.

You can find the current methodology for Global Pulp here:  https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology/forest-products/global-market-pulp/

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology

What to read next
Brazilian tissue jumbo roll prices remained stable despite rising input costs, as persistent oversupply and competitive pressures delayed planned increases.
Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-AL-0020 aluminium P1020A premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb assessment, which was published incorrectly on Tuesday July 7.
Fastmarkets has corrected the Green Douglas Fir delivered prices for July 7th, which were marked as final weekly prices instead of preliminary due to a procedural lapse.
Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for MB-COA-0003 Premium hard coking coal, fob eastern Australian ports, $/wmt, which was published incorrectly on Tuesday July 7 due to a typographical error.
The publication of Fastmarkets' flat steel reduced carbon emissions, daily inferred price for Tuesday July 7, 2026 was delayed due to a procedure lapse. Fastmarkets' pricing database has been updated.
Fastmarkets launched three world-first regional price indices in a major expansion to its Saudi Arabian ferrous scrap market coverage, on Tuesday July 7.