It’s March 2020, people all around the world are panic buying, toilet paper isles are empty. Many reported the ordeal as pandemonium with how rampant people were hoarding tissues- experts are saying chaos is coming again because wood prices are rising and this will impact the price of tissues, sanitary items and regular paper all over the world. 

The price of wood pulp has skyrocketed to an estimated 15-20% in the last year. The reason for this spike is a combination of issues which includes post-COVID recovery in China- the biggest buyer of pulp in the world, and global shipping delays which is also caused by the pandemic.  

“We’ve never seen monthly price increases like this in the history of the business,” said Brian McClay, US-based pulp industry analyst. “It’s unheard of.” he went on to share with CNN. 

AMG Packaging & Paper Company Limited, a local paper making company, explains that these global increases will definitely affect the prices of their products. 

Wood pulp is utilized in the making of not just paper or tissues but sanitary items, cardboard packing and medical supplies. 

Toilet paper and sanitary items are a necessity similar to gasoline and oil which means that even if the prices go up, people still need to buy these items- with prices about to get a whole lot more expensive. 

Officials however are advising not to panic buy because the lack of items on the market can also affect the prices- supply and demand.