Corrugate Paper prices in China have recently increased modestly

Recently, corrugate paper prices in China have seen a modest rise, while the wait-and-see sentiment weighs more prompting cautious optimism. As the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays draw near, paper mills have augmented their stockpiling of waste yellow cardboard, anticipating higher demand. This demand spike coincides with the off-season for waste paper recycling, resulting in reduced availability of recycled materials and a hesitance among packaging stations to sell, further constraining supply.

On the supply side, despite stable operations at most paper mills ensuring adequate spot goods, announcements of potential price hikes by major mills have mostly led to minor adjustments in market prices, with many opting to keep prices steady. This stability is due in part to high inventory levels, which have slowed down sales and shipments.

Demand is expected to grow as the market moves into what is typically a peak season, yet current demand from end-users is lukewarm, with downstream packaging factories experiencing lackluster order volumes. Many are adopting a cautious stance, only slightly increasing their inventories in response to current orders. Consequently, while prices have ticked upward, the overall market changes have been minimal, indicating a cautious optimism and a balancing of supply and demand in the market.