Pulp producers unveil further price hikes

Pulp producers have announced plans to raise pulp prices in December, 2004. Weyerhaeuser plans to raise its northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp price by $ 30/tonne to $ 640/tonne. Södra Cell and Billerud also aims to push their levels up to $ 630/tonne. But only few producers have come forward with December hikes on the hardwood front. Many producers are also concerned about the time of the move as christmas holidays and producers's strategy to push down their stocks can slow the demand.