May 07, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Finnish major pulp manufacturer Metsa-Botnia was the first company in Europe to announce north bleached hardwood kraft (NBSK) price increase from June, 1 2004. Similar announcement to boost hardwood prices in the US and Europe was made by Nexfor Fraser Papers Inc. Metsa-Botnia intends to increase European NBSK prices up $40 to $680 per ton corresponding to the price index set by North-American producers - Canfor Corp., International Paper Co., Pope & Talbot Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Co. Fraser Papers intends to increase NBSK prices up $30 from June 2004. Fraser papers will boost NBSK prices to $600 per ton; maple pulp – up to $610 per ton; light maple pulp – up to $650 per ton. Earlier European prices set by Fraser Papers were $580 and $620 per ton respectively.