OCC - US (LA) Prices

30-01-2026 - The current market landscape presents a complex picture, with mixed signals influencing the outlook. The forecast suggests upward pressure on raw material prices, largely influenced by Flows data and significant impacts from Seaborne Imports & Exports. However, Demand data indicates a downward pressure, adding complexity to the market's future trajectory.

In the Middle East, the containerboard market saw a slight decline in December 2025, as reported by Fastmarkets. Both testliner and fluting price indices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region experienced modest month-on-month decreases. This decline was primarily due to reduced demand and a tighter supply of recovered paper. Industry experts expect further price fluctuations in early 2026, driven by increasing transportation costs and preparations for Ramadan.

This information suggests a potential downward trend in the Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) market, which contrasts with the forecast predicting an increase to 58.7 in the coming month. This discrepancy highlights differing opinions on the market's direction, with external sources suggesting a downward trend while the forecast anticipates an upward movement. The market remains uncertain, with various factors contributing to its evolving dynamics.