The US tissue parent roll market in July presented a fragmented picture, with some prices inching up by $20-50 per short ton. This movement was primarily driven by higher freight, fiber, and recovered paper costs. However, several buyers continued to encounter stable pricing or even aggressive offers from suppliers looking to secure orders, particularly for virgin paper, where one buyer reported paying $50-100 per short ton less than May-June levels.

Prices for domestic tissue, wood pulp jumbo rolls for conventional toilet tissue, premium, and ultra-premium grades remained unchanged in July. Conventional rolls were assessed at $1,100-1,200 per short ton, premium at $1,250-1,450 per short ton, and ultra-premium at $1,700-1,900 per short ton. Recycled jumbo rolls for economic toilet tissue also held steady at $1,050-1,200 per short ton.

Towel parent roll prices largely tracked those of bathroom tissue, often with a slight premium. Conventional wood pulp jumbo rolls for towel were assessed at $1,120-1,220 per short ton, premium at $1,270-1,470 per short ton, and ultra-premium at $1,720-1,920 per short ton. Recycled jumbo rolls for economic towel were priced at $1,070-1,220 per short ton.

Increased US tissue parent roll production, up 1.5% year-on-year in May due to new capacity, coupled with a 1.4% decline in total tissue consumption, has led to sustained pressure on operating rates, with average capacity utilization slightly down to 92.24% in 2026 from 93.18% in 2025. Additionally, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) confirmed a 25% tariff on certain Brazilian forestry products, including tissue products, effective July 22, which could impact import prices.

In related news, Brazilian pulp giant Suzano warned that global toilet paper and tissue prices could rise if the US-Israeli war on Iran continues, driven by increased transportation and chemical costs. The conflict has already led to a surge in oil prices, impacting shipping, trucking, and rail expenses. Suzano, while self-sufficient in energy for its production sites, faces higher fuel costs and rising prices for chemicals like caustic soda and sulfuric acid, despite hedging some raw material price increases. The company is now shipping pulp through the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, and expensive trucking routes to the Middle East, where business has seen a "significant impact."