New Paper Raw Material Price Increase Notice: How Long Can Downstream Carton Factories Last?

On July 13th, Jielong Paper Industry and various small and medium-sized paper mills once again issued price increase notices, with an increase of 50-100 yuan per ton. According to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on July 14th, in the first week of July 2026, the price of corrugated paper (AA grade 120g) had risen to 3,216.3 yuan per ton, an increase of 72.5 yuan per ton compared to the end of June.
In an environment where the uncertainties in the macro environment are increasing, the profit preservation demands of upstream paper mills are understandable. However, for carton manufacturers, the frequent cost hikes are becoming an unbearable burden for the enterprises.
On the one hand, the frequency of paper price increases has exceeded the digestion capacity of downstream packaging enterprises. In the past few months, the paper prices in many regions have risen by five or six times, and in some areas, it has even reached eight or nine times. This high-frequency price increase pattern has largely disrupted the procurement and quotation rhythms of paper box factories.
On the other hand, the end customers of the paper box factories are extremely sensitive to prices. Upstream enterprises can easily raise prices with just a letter, but paper box factories find it very difficult to pass on this part of the cost to the end customers within a short period of time. To maintain customer relationships, many paper box factories often have to choose to absorb part of the increase themselves. Over time, the cash flow and risk-resistance capabilities of the enterprises are constantly being depleted.
Furthermore, the current demand from end consumers has not experienced an explosive growth. The order volumes of downstream packaging enterprises have remained stable overall, and there has not been a strong recovery strong enough to support a significant increase in paper prices. Under the circumstances of "high costs and weak demand", how long can the cardboard factories last? This might be a question that the entire industry chain needs to consider at present.
Latest Letter on Paper Price Increase
Jiulong Paper Co., Ltd. Dongguan Base
Starting from July 21st, the prices of white wheat card, recycled cattle card and corrugated paper have increased by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 23rd, the prices of Jiu Long Special High-Quality V Cattle Card, Jiu Long Cattle Card (Special), Jiu Long Cattle Card, Hai Long High-Quality V Cattle Card, Hai Long Cattle Card, Di Long High-Quality V Raw Card and Di Long Cattle Card have all increased by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Co., Ltd. Taicang Base
Starting from July 20th, the prices of recycled cow card and corrugated paper have increased by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 24th, the prices of Jiu Long high-quality cow card, Jiu Long cow card, Hai Long high-quality cow card, Hai Long cow card, Di Long high-quality V cow card, Di Long high-quality cow card, and Di Long cow card have all increased by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Industry's Chongqing and Leshan bases
Starting from July 18th, the price of bull cards (excluding recycled bull cards) at the Chongqing base has increased by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 21st, the prices of recycled bull cards and corrugated paper at the Chongqing base have risen by 50 yuan per ton, and the price of corrugated paper at the Leshan base has also increased by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Industry's Chongqing and Leshan bases
Starting from July 13th, the prices of Jianglong Cow Card, Jianglong Recycled Cow Card and corrugated paper at the Chongqing base have been increased by RMB 50 per ton. The price of corrugated paper at the Leshan base has also been raised by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Industry's Tianjin and Hebei bases
Starting from July 15th, the prices of recycled cattle cards and corrugated paper at the Tianjin and Hebei bases have been raised by 50 yuan per ton. Starting from July 20th, the prices of Nine Long cattle cards, Hai Long cattle cards, Di Long high-quality V cattle cards, Di Long high-quality cattle cards, and Di Long cattle cards at the Tianjin and Hebei bases have also been increased by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Industry Quanzhou Base
Starting from July 15th, the price of corrugated paper has increased by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 17th, the price of recycled bull cattle cards has risen by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 20th, the price of earthworm cattle cards has gone up by 50 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Industry Hubei Base
Starting from July 16th, the price of the Haolong high-quality series cattle cards has increased by 50 yuan per ton; starting from July 22nd, the prices of Jiu Long Premium V cattle cards, Di Long High-Quality V cattle cards, and Di Long cattle cards weighing over 120 grams have increased by 50 yuan per ton, while the prices of Di Long cattle cards weighing 120 grams or less and recycled cattle cards have increased by 80 yuan per ton.
Jiulong Paper Co., Ltd. Shenyang Base