PAPER PRICING: Pulp Nonfiction

Paper pricing has been affected in the past few years by a general decrease in demand for printed products, which affects all paper types and grades. Within the market, however, complex dynamics play out as supply adjusts and demand shifts in the wake of price fluctuations. A publisher might switch from coated paper to uncoated or free sheet to ground wood to save costs, for instance; higher demand may not lead to higher prices if mills shift output to create more supply. On the other hand, prices could go up if mills close or less of a particular type of paper is imported due to foreign demand.