NBSK price talks ongoing, cuts demanded
June price negotiations for bleached softwood pulp remain unresolved in early July. First customers are calling for NBSK price cuts, indicating potential downward pressure on prices.
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp Price Trend Analysis 2026: Market Insights, Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis, Price Drivers & Latest News
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp Latest Development
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp Price Trend Q3 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | Germany | FOB | USD 725.00/MT | August 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | China | FOB | USD 605.71/MT | August 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | USA | CIF | USD 761.33/MT | August 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | India | CIF | USD 815.79/MT | August 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | Japan | CIF | USD 759.32/MT | August 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | Germany | FOB | USD 725.00/MT | July 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | China | FOB | USD 615.31/MT | July 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | USA | CIF | USD 775.00/MT | July 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | India | CIF | USD 722.12/MT | July 2026 |
| Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp | Japan | CIF | USD 648.31/MT | July 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp Price Trend Q3 2026
- During Q3’26, Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp prices were stable to slightly soft, as weak paper demand and high inventories offset supply cuts.
- Wood fibre costs rose in Germany on strong demand for wood as fuel, while Canadian fibre costs eased modestly as supply improved.
- Tissue and paper mills bought cautiously and resisted higher offers, as the usual September peak season produced only limited restocking activity.
In China, the average price of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp eased from ~USD 615.31/MT (FOB) in July to ~USD 605.71/MT in August, a decline of ~1.6%. In the USA, the prices fell slightly about 1.8%, from ~USD 775.00/MT (CIF) to ~USD 761.33/MT, in the respective months. Overall, the market followed a stable to slightly softer trend. In China, a planned Canadian mill closure that will remove about 300,000 tonnes a year of capacity briefly lifted sentiment in July. However, port inventories stayed high at about 2.29 million tonnes, and traders cut prices in mid-August to clear stock, while suppliers lowered some import offers. Overseas mill stoppages and Canadian wildfires supported a late-August rebound, but paper mills resisted higher prices and the September peak season was weak. In North America, list prices stayed flat as weak demand balanced closures and downtime. In Europe, producers expected slightly lower prices as seasonal demand slowed, though high German fibre costs led to output cuts and a temporary curtailment at a large German mill in September.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, in the near term, NBSK pulp prices are likely to firm gradually as closures and curtailments reduce supply, though high inventories may slow any recovery.
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- NBSK pulp markets showed regional differences during Q2 2026, with supply adjustments supporting Western markets while Asian demand remained cautious.
- Fiber availability, energy costs and producer output adjustments influenced pricing, with supply discipline limiting further declines.
- Tissue demand remained stable, but weaker printing and writing paper consumption restricted broader pulp market recovery.
Chinese NBSK pulp was assessed at an average of 627 USD/MT (FOB) during June'26. The Chinese market remained under pressure during Q2 2026 as cautious purchasing, higher inventories and weaker paper demand limited price recovery. Buyers maintained controlled procurement strategies, while producers faced pressure to balance supply with slower downstream consumption. Across the United States, the average price of NBSK pulp stood at 775 USD/MT (CIF) in June'26. North American markets showed relatively firmer conditions as producers managed supply through output adjustments, while stable tissue and specialty paper demand provided support. In India, NBSK pulp recorded an average of 682 USD/MT (CIF) over the course of June'26. Indian buyers remained influenced by global pulp availability, import conditions and paper-sector demand trends.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, NBSK pulp prices are expected to remain regionally mixed, with supply discipline supporting Western markets while Asian demand recovery remains the main factor for price improvement.
About NBSK Pulp
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp comprises long slender fibres that offer great bonding and tensile properties. It is used to make a wide range of paper products, such as printing and writing paper. The pulp is derived from lumber wood.
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp Product Detail
HS Code
47032900
Chemical Formula
(C6H10O5)n
CAS Number
65996-61-4
Industrial Uses
Used for producing various paper products like printing and writing paper, speciality grades, and many tissue products.
Synonyms
Cellulose (pulp), Bleached Kraft Pulp (Cellulose)
Supplier Database
West Fraser, UPM Pulp, Canfor Pulp, Paper Excellence Canada, METSA FIBRE, Domtar Corporation, Resolute Forest Products, Sodra, Mercer
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
NBSK Pulp Production Processes
Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) Pulp is produced from lumber wood through a multi-step process. The wood is initially bark removed in a barking drum and then ground before being segregated in a storage silo. The chips are subsequently cooked in a digestor using sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide to break down lignin and release the fibers. The resulting pulp is separated from black liquor, bleached based on the intended use, and finally, the production of NBSK pulp is completed.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
About the Author
Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
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