Shanghai Pulp Week saw suppliers and Chinese buyers engage in off-site negotiations.
Yet, as of Thursday, March 20, the import price for Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) remained undetermined. Chinese buyers hesitated to finalize March NBSK deals due to concerns over potential U.S. tariffs—specifically, whether the Trump administration would impose a 25% duty on Canadian imports starting April 2. If additional Canadian pulp enters China to avoid tariffs, it could drive prices down and possibly displace Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp (BEKP).
This raises a key question: Will BEKP producers step in to fill some of the supply gap in the U.S. market? Typically, BEKP producers rely on stable, predictable U.S. demand, while China offers more volatile—but often more profitable—spot deals. The outcome will likely be reflected in future quarterly reports.
