Paper price rises hit NZ

Following on from the paper price rises across the Australian industry reported by Print 21, comes news that merchants in New Zealand will be doing the same. Spicers Paper will increase the selling price of its stock by five per cent from April 3, and has implied that more price movements are on the way.

The paper merchant attributes the price changes to a sharp fall in New Zealand currency against the US dollar over recent weeks, compounded by all too familiar issues relating to raw material and transportation costs.

“Considerable upward pressure will remain on commodity paper pricing since even at the current level to the US dollar, local currency has downside for the balance of 2006,” says Spicers Paper in New Zealand.

Andrew Bull, CEO of BJ Ball, also confirms that his company is putting up the price of its stock, citing falls in the New Zealand dollar as the primary motivating factor for the decision.

“We're in the process of implementing a price rise at the moment,” says Bull. “We haven't gone to the market yet, but customers can expect the price movements to implemented during April or thereabouts.”