Producers contend the panic is gone, and welcome the change.
Analysts say the frenzy may have been averted, but pulp remains in thin supply. The market is still definitely tight, and the price increase is going through, but it's a more balanced situation now, which is good. Proof of supply tightness is also in the claim by several North American producers that their inventories shrunk in June, the consultant said. Official inventory statistics from the Pulp and Paper Products Council will be released around July 22. Previously, inventories rose for two consecutive months in April and May, leading analysts to believe that the market may not have been as tightly supplied as they had believed.