南华期货2026造纸产业年度展望：残雪消融春意浅，弱风拂柳态犹迟

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - In 2026, the price trends of softwood pulp and offset printing paper are expected to be described as "low recovery" and "weak stabilization" respectively. The price center of softwood pulp is expected to move slightly upward, while the price of offset printing paper is expected to remain weak and stable, mainly supported by costs [5]. - Overall, the futures prices of pulp and offset printing paper will fluctuate. In the medium - term, low - buying opportunities can be considered for pulp futures, and high - selling opportunities can be considered for the near - month contracts of offset printing paper [8]. 3. Summary According to the Table of Contents 3.1 Viewpoint Summary 3.1.1 Trend Forecast - In 2026, the supply expansion trend of softwood pulp will slow down, and the demand is expected to stabilize and rebound. However, the market sentiment is limited, and there are still upper limits, with inventory pressure needing continuous attention. The price of double - offset paper is expected to be mainly supported by costs and remain weak and stable [5]. 3.1.2 Strategy Outlook - Pulp and offset printing paper futures prices will fluctuate. Mid - term, consider low - buying for pulp futures and high - selling for near - month offset printing paper contracts [8]. 3.1.3 Risk Points - Risks include changes in macro - policies, significant changes in international trade situations, large - scale shutdowns or resumptions of pulp and paper mills, and restrictions on some supply and transportation channels [9]. 3.2 Market Review 3.2.1 Spot Price Review of Softwood Pulp and Double - Offset Paper - Softwood pulp spot prices declined this year, with a short - term increase in January - February due to domestic supply gaps. After reaching a high of about 6617 yuan/ton in early February, prices dropped by 17.84% by the end of November. Recent slight rebounds are due to traders' reluctance to sell and spot enterprise regulation. The spread between softwood and hardwood pulp prices has fallen to a reasonable range. Double - offset paper prices also declined after a slight increase in Q1, dropping by 13.02% from 5087.5 yuan/ton in mid - March to 4425.0 yuan/ton at the end of November, due to weak demand and over - supply [10][12][16]. 3.2.2 Futures Price Trend Review of Pulp and Offset Printing Paper - Pulp futures reached a high of 6204 yuan/ton in February, then declined, with a temporary halt in the decline in Q3 due to North American pulp mill maintenance expectations. After reaching a low of 4750 yuan/ton in mid - October, prices reversed and rose due to downstream paper mills' price increases, positive macro - sentiment, and news of a US pulp mill shutdown. Offset printing paper futures were listed in September, fluctuated in the first month, rose to 4360 yuan/ton due to paper mills' price support, and then dropped to 3980 yuan/ton, a decline of 8.72% [19]. 3.2.3 Continued Weak Overall Demand - Weak demand is a major factor for the weak pulp and double - offset paper prices. China's softwood pulp monthly apparent consumption in the first 10 months was 707.3 tons, up 2.84% year - on - year, with only 6, 7, 9 months above the average. European consumption of bleached softwood pulp was the lowest in a decade. Paper industry's start - up rates were low, with softwood pulp downstream demand improving slightly but still weak. Double - offset paper demand was even weaker, with the apparent consumption in the first 10 months at 666.7 tons, down 9.87% year - on - year [25]. 3.2.4 Supply Growth Slowed but Pressure Persisted - Pulp supply growth slowed this year, but the overall stock was still high. China's softwood pulp imports had low growth but a high base and increased since August. Paper pulp production increased significantly after mid - September, with a 17.43% year - on - year increase in early December. Global pulp shipments were relatively high, and those to China were lower than in 2023 but higher than last year. Double - offset paper's start - up rate was at a low, but production increased in the second half of the year, and the supply pressure remained due to new capacity [30][32]. 3.2.5 High Inventory and Low Profit - High inventory suppressed pulp and paper prices. China's pulp port inventory was above 200 tons for a long time this year, dropping to 199.3 tons by December 19. Double - offset paper inventory also increased, with both production enterprise and social inventories above the average. Most small and medium - sized enterprises in the softwood pulp and double - offset paper markets were in a loss - making state, with negative gross margins for Chinese softwood pulp since April last year [34][37]. 3.3 Core Focus Points 3.3.1 Macro Changes - Pulp is significantly affected by macro - factors. Interest rate cuts may reduce import costs. Policy changes and tariff adjustments can also impact the industry. For example, if Brazil's export tariff exemption to the US is removed, it may increase China's pulp supply pressure [41]. 3.3.2 Inventory Reduction - High inventory is a key factor suppressing pulp and paper prices. Pulp inventory has declined recently, and the reduction in available registered warehouse receipts due to the adjustment of delivery standards has provided some support to futures prices [42]. 3.3.3 Shutdown/Resumption of Pulp and Paper Mills - Shutdowns or resumptions of pulp and paper mills can affect supply and market sentiment. For example, Domtar's permanent shutdown of the Crofton pulp mill had a positive impact on futures prices [44]. 3.4 Valuation Feedback and Supply - Demand Outlook 3.4.1 Valuation: Relatively Reasonable - Pulp futures valuation is relatively reasonable, with the basis fluctuating and the number of warehouse receipts at a historical low. Offset printing paper futures valuation is currently weak, but the rising basis provides some support at the bottom. The volatility of both pulp and offset printing paper futures is expected to remain low in 2026 [45][47][50]. 3.4.2 Demand: Weak Stabilization - Pulp demand is expected to stabilize and rebound in 2026, with the "14th Five - Year Plan" promoting economic growth and the narrowing price spread between softwood and hardwood pulp potentially increasing softwood pulp demand. Double - offset paper demand is expected to be weak, with factors such as the decline in textbook demand and the popularity of paperless office, but policies like the "National Reading Promotion Regulations" may bring some positive effects [52][57]. 3.4.3 Supply: Pressure Converging - In 2026, the supply pressure of softwood pulp is expected to converge, with limited new capacity growth. Double - offset paper supply pressure remains due to continuous new capacity investment in recent years. Overall, the supply - demand situation of softwood pulp in 2026 is expected to be slightly better than this year, while double - offset paper supply and demand are expected to remain weak and stable [59][61][63].