A321 Captain reported a firm touchdown during landing by the flying pilot with no exceedances or aircraft damage. Pilot added the loss of elevator authority which could possibly be caused by CG being too far forward.

Narrative

I was pilot monitoring on an A321 in the Captain position. The FO had a firm touchdown. There were no aircraft reports or exceedances. In his professionalism; the FO was obsessed of why the firm touchdown. His angle attack was normal; approach stable. This was however; one of his first flights an A321. We briefed pitch attitudes due to longer fuselage and callout in our approach brief. We also took note that we were within about 1;000 lbs of max landing weight. In the flare the FO made a pitch call out. Attitude seemed normal. He stated that he was full stick aft; but felt he had no pitch authority. I am usually able to point out the error of which may have caused a bad landing; however I didn't have anything that I saw to offer. We did discuss how loading in ZZZ1 was not very efficient. The aircraft had to be reopened to add baggage. The ground personnel did seem a little discombobulated through the entire ground operations. One of the possibilities we came up with was maybe we were CG too far forward? Flight was debriefed. I had no loss of conference in the FO; as he was very experienced and professional.