If you’ve ever used a notebook, a cardboard box, or even everyday tissue paper, there’s a good chance it came from a material called Bleached Hardwood Kraft Pulp, or BHK pulp for short. Even though most of us never see it directly, BHK pulp plays a big role in the production of many paper-based items we use daily.

In the second quarter of 2025, the BHK pulp market saw some ups and downs, depending on where in the world you looked. According to PriceWatch, prices dropped sharply in China, were up and down in Germany, and saw a small decrease in the USA. Let’s break all this down in a very simple and natural way so it’s easy to understand, even if you’re not involved in the pulp or paper industry.

What Is BHK Pulp?

Before jumping into price trends, it helps to understand what BHK pulp actually is. It’s a type of pulp made mainly from hardwood trees like eucalyptus, birch, and maple. These trees have short fibers, which give BHK pulp certain qualities that are perfect for smooth, high-quality paper products like fine printing paper, tissues, and packaging.

Now let’s take a look at how prices moved around the world in Q2 2025.

China: Sharp Price Drop as Demand Slows

By the end of the second quarter, BHK pulp prices in China were assessed at USD 538 per metric ton Ex Shandong, showing a sharp decrease of 10.88%.

That’s a pretty big drop, and there are a few clear reasons behind it:

1. High Inventory at Ports

One of the biggest problems in China during this period was the large amount of pulp sitting in storage at ports. This is known as high port inventory. When there’s a lot of material already available and not being used up quickly, buyers feel less urgency to place new orders. They become hesitant and take a "wait and see" approach, which puts downward pressure on prices.

2. Slow Recovery in Paper Demand

Another issue was that the demand for packaging and paper products hadn’t fully bounced back. Whether it's due to slower economic activity, reduced consumer spending, or cautious business environments, many buyers in China were still holding back. This lack of strong demand meant that sellers had to lower prices to attract buyers.

In simple terms, China had more pulp than needed, and not enough people were buying. So prices naturally went down.

For latest updates, price queries, demand forecasts, and supplier information related to BHK Pulp prices, submit your request here: https://www.price-watch.ai/contact/

Germany: Prices Up at First, Then Settle Down

In Germany, the BHK pulp market followed a bit of a different path. At the start of Q2 2025, prices were higher than usual. Why?

1. Strong Demand and Tight Supply in April

In April, there was a period where demand was quite strong, and supply wasn’t as freely available. This created a temporary situation where buyers were competing for limited pulp, and that allowed producers to raise prices. Producers also felt the pinch of rising production costs, and that pressure was passed on to buyers through higher prices.

2. Prices Normalize Later in the Quarter

However, things started to balance out as the quarter went on. Companies began to manage their inventories more carefully, and supply became more consistent. When buyers were no longer rushing and supply wasn’t tight anymore, prices began to settle down.

So, in Germany, we saw a short period of high prices, followed by a return to normal as the market corrected itself.

USA: Slight Decrease Due to Oversupply and Weak Exports

In the United States, the BHK pulp market saw a small decrease in prices during Q2 2025. The situation here was a bit more complex but still easy to understand when broken down:

1. Plenty of Supply

There was an abundant supply of BHK pulp available in the U.S. Producers were making more than enough to meet local demand, and even more was sitting in storage.

2. Inventory Build-Up

Just like in China, inventory started to pile up. When sellers have too much product on hand, they often try to get rid of it quickly by offering lower prices or discounts—these are called aggressive spot offers.

3. Weak Export Momentum

Exports were also weaker than expected. That means U.S. producers weren’t able to sell much of their pulp to overseas buyers. Maybe other countries were already stocked up, or maybe their demand was lower. Either way, this lack of international demand added more pressure to sell pulp locally, which led to further price softening.

Overall, while the price drop in the U.S. wasn’t as steep as in China, it was still a sign that the market was soft, with more supply than demand.

So, What’s the Big Picture?

Looking at the whole picture, the global BHK pulp market in Q2 2025 was facing some challenges, mostly tied to oversupply, cautious buying behavior, and sluggish demand.

Let’s summarize the key points:

• In China, a major drop in prices was caused by too much stock and not enough demand.

• In Germany, prices rose briefly due to tight supply and strong demand but settled later as the situation balanced out.

• In the USA, prices slipped slightly due to plenty of supply, inventory buildup, and slow export sales.

All of these trends point to a global pulp market that is trying to find its balance after a few uncertain quarters. Producers and buyers alike are being cautious, trying not to overstock, while also watching market signals to decide when to buy and sell.

What Could Happen Next?

The BHK pulp market could go in a few different directions in the coming months:

• If demand picks up, especially in China and other Asian markets, we might see prices start to rise again.

• If inventory levels stay high, sellers may continue offering discounts to move product, keeping prices low.

• Export performance will also matter a lot strong exports can help balance local supply and support prices.

On top of that, producers will be watching costs, logistics, and raw material availability, all of which can impact pricing in the next quarter.

Final Thoughts

Even though most of us never think about BHK pulp, it’s a key ingredient in the paper products we use every day from the tissues we grab in the morning to the boxes we get in the mail.

In Q2 2025, the BHK pulp market showed how closely linked supply, demand, and inventory levels are, and how even small changes in one area can affect prices in different parts of the world. While prices fell sharply in China and slightly in the U.S., they went up and down in Germany before leveling off.

As we head into the next quarter, the market will continue to be shaped by buyer confidence, inventory management, and global trade flows. For now, the pulp industry is in a bit of a “wait and see” phase but that could change quickly, depending on how demand evolves.