Feb 17, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Last week Europe experienced softwood craft-pulp (NSBK) prices growth. The suppliers expect this to male a trend, however some customers claim the suggestion is groundless. Pulp producers announced prices growth up $30-40 per ton on February, 1 and several sale/purchase contracts have already been signed at $590 per ton, which caused the spread of $560-590 per ton. However, some customers claim to have paid $20 more per ton of NBSK in February, and the price is expected to rise $10 more, however the suppliers deny the rumors. Eucalyptus pulp prices growth may follow softwood prices growth. The suppliers claim, that higher prices have already set in Europe, while the situation in Southern Europe is still more complicated. However, some supplies were carried out at $520 per ton. Probably a new NSBK prices growth will follow, the manufacturers intend to announce March prices increase soon. Though some hardwood pulp manufacturers are afraid to increase the prices. They consider the demand for short fiber to be not big enough to support further fiber prices increase.