Market Update October 2026
Over the past few weeks, our procurement team has spoken with several of our long standing manufacturers in Asia. In this update, we share what we are hearing and what this means for prices and lead times.
CBAM verification
The introduction of CBAM has been far from smooth. Although the regulation has now been in effect for nine months, many uncertainties remain. An important part of CBAM is the verification of our manufacturers' CO2 emissions reports. This requires physical inspections throughout the entire supply chain.
According to the EU schedule, the first verifiers were expected to be announced in early September 2026. Unfortunately, this has still not happened. On 5 October, the European Commission will announce the CBAM price for the third quarter. We expect a price of €82.32 per tonne of CO2.
Higher costs in Asia
In our previous update, we reported the first shortages caused by the war in Iran. Three months later, these shortages have still not been resolved. Industrial diesel and the acid used to clean wire are now almost four times as expensive and are not always available.
Raw material prices have risen significantly, and some factories have had to stop production for several days. Tungsten is also in short supply. As a result, new dies are difficult to obtain, and it takes longer to produce new sizes or products.
Longer lead times due to shipping disruptions
In August, several typhoons hit the east coast of China. As a result, the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo were forced to close for several days on multiple occasions. The resulting congestion lasted for weeks.
There is still a shortage of empty containers in Asia. In addition, some shipping companies are sailing around South Africa instead of using the Red Sea route, which adds extra transit time.
New packaging requirements, PPWR
The new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR, has been in effect since 12 August 2026. Manufacturers supplying the European market must adapt their boxes, pallets and other packaging materials accordingly.
The number of packaging suppliers that already comply with these requirements is limited, and their prices are 20 to 30% higher.
Road transport costs in the Netherlands
Transport within the Netherlands is also becoming more expensive. Diesel prices are approximately 30% higher than last year. In addition, the truck toll has been in effect since 1 July 2026. Transport companies are increasing their rates to pass on these additional costs.
Outlook
Our manufacturers do not expect the situation to improve over the next three to four months. Even if the war ends soon, energy prices will not fall immediately. We will keep you informed about CBAM verification as soon as more information becomes available.
We have been working with the same trusted manufacturers for many years and maintain strong stock levels. This allows us to continue delivering reliably, even in today's unsettled market.
Do you have any questions about the prices or lead times of specific products? Please contact your usual contact person at Kobout or call +31(0)78 684 66 11.