The American Forest & Paper Association has released its January 2017 U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Report which said total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5% in January compared to January 2016. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels were flat from December 2016.
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 3% year-over-year in January. UFS imports increased 16% in December compared to December 2015, but finished the year 14% below 2015, with exports decreasing 11% for the year.
January coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 5% compared to January 2016. Imports of CFS papers also decreased 5% year-over-year in December, but increased 2% for the year, with exports decreasing just 1% in 2016.
Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 18% in January compared to January 2016. Imports of UM increased 2% in December, but decreased 7% year-over-year in 2016. Exports of UM in December dropped 11% and were down 10% compared to the previous year.
Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in January decreased 2% when compared to January 2016. Imports of CM increased 27% in December compared to December 2015, and up 3% for the year, with exports increasing 2% in December, and down 5% relative to the previous year.
