The American Forest & Paper Association has released its October 2014 Printing-Writing Paper Report and according to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7 percent in October compared to October 2013, with total paper inventories decreasing 7 percent compared to September.
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in October decreased 12 percent compared to October 2013. YTD shipments are down 9 percent in 2014. Imports of UFS increased 17 percent in September and were up 23 percent year-to-date in 2014.
September coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 6 percent compared to 2013. YTD shipments of coated freesheet grades are down 3 percent. Exports of CFS papers were down 4 percent for the year compared to the first nine months of 2013, with imports increasing 2 percent for the same period.
Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments increased 9 percent in October, the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Year-to-date shipments of UM were up 5 percent compared to 2013.
Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in October were essentially flat relative to October 2013 and are down 4 percent for the year. Exports of CM grades increased 12 percent year-over-year in September and are up 8 percent compared to the first nine months of 2013.
