The USPS announced it has filed for a second rate increase for 2021, with rates to go up by 6.9% on average. Overall, Marketing Mail rates will increase just over 6.8%, but so-called "underwater" Marketing Mail flats and Carrier Route will both go up by 8.819% and 8.866%, respectively. Pending review by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), the new rates will take effect on August 29th. The USPS chose to take the maximum amount allowed following a November 2020 order from the PRC allowing the USPS to bust the consumer price index cap limit. (Source: ACMA)
Prices for uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper remained unchanged in May, after increasing in March and April, but several mills – including the top-3 largest producers by capacity, Domtar, International Paper (IP), and Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) – announced a new price increase for June-July in North America, ranging from $60-80 per ton. Resolute, Norpac, Willamefe Falls, Phoenix Paper, ND Paper, Finch, Rolland, American Eagle, Evergreen, and Pixelle separately announced $60/ton UFS price increases starting in June.