Market Report
Sneeze as the U.S. have a cold
NL-Tilburg, 12 July 2026
Just when we thought the turmoil in the Middle East was all over, hostilities flared up again this week. Prices on the oil market rose, whilst the stock markets moved in the opposite direction. But apparently we have become so accustomed to these rather serious matters that, after a night’s sleep, the markets more or less return to business as usual. That was certainly the case with stock market prices worldwide. The situation with oil prices seems to be a bit more complicated, but with the tone of ‘new negotiations’ between the US and Iran softening again towards the end of the week, the oil price will probably find its way down again.
Has this had any impact on the waste paper market? That is difficult to assess. After all, we do not know how the market would have behaved without these disruptions. There hasn’t been much going on since the start of this month, and we can still say much the same now. It does seem, however, that exports are continuing to falter. Is that due to this week’s events? Probably not. There is a general shortage in demand for recovered paper from importing countries. This has been the case for some time now, and following slight price rises that gave us cause for optimism, there have invariably been subsequent downward price adjustments that have dashed that optimism. This week, India once again failed to deliver, and the rest of Asia does not seem particularly interested in European supplies at all. This is the result of falling export prices in the US, where, following a revival in exports in early June, export prices for cardboard grades have fallen by $8–$10 per tonne this month. This has affected prices locally in the US, particularly on the West Coast, where local prices have also fallen by $5 to $10 per tonne. Curiously, however, in all other regions local prices for cardboard grades were increased.
Those in the know spoke of a build-up in stock ahead of Independence Day celebrations, adding that prices were expected to ease again during July. Whether that will be the case remains to be seen. Generation remains low in the US too, but local demand is also subdued in the absence of exports. And it looks as though exports are set to remain sluggish there for the time being.
Unsurprisingly, we saw a weak reflection of the US market here in Europe. Exports simply aren’t taking off, even though the US dollar is still fairly strong against the euro, giving us an advantage when competing with the US. However, what had looked positive for export orders at the start and in the middle of the week did not result in any orders by the end of the week.
Conversely, it had become clear to some local paper and board mills in Europe that, with purchase prices at the lower end of the spectrum, they were not getting in significant volumes of supply. Recovered paper processors are also struggling and are therefore forced to seek the best price. Buyers who had been pricing too low in the market corrected this last week by raising prices slightly, thereby narrowing the gap with the export market somewhat. All in all, however, not much has happened.
The situation is no different for medium and higher-grade grades. Following the minor fluctuations last week, there is actually nothing to report this week.
Price indication
Price indication in Europe for low grades of recovered paper, sorted, baled and ex works are now between € 60 and € 80 per tonne. These prices are depending on quality, available volume, region and loaded weight.
Look here at the Price chart >>
The price chart gives an indication of the price of mixed paper, separately collected, in the Netherlands free delivered mill over the last 10 years.
Scrolling over the top of the columns gives the exact price indication in Euro's per ton.