Row of UFS hikes started in October finally line up in the US market, with levels up $20 to $40, depending on grade

摘要

Uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper pricing increased $20-50/ton in the broadest one-month rise depending on grade in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years in the USA. Possibly the single most important increase for producers in the demand-declining segment was on 20-lb repro bond 92 brightness cutsize office paper, which represents 40% of US shipments. Some slight increases were reported late last year, but the 20-lb office paper rose $20 this month to $990-l,030/ton, with one contact telling about a major office store chain paying "some kind of an increase" by Jan. 1. Typically, moving prices up on the big store chains like Staples and Office Max/Office Depot is difficult to impossible, contacts said. The largest store chains buy at least 40% of US cutsize office paper.