US printing-writing paper shipments down 6 percent

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its April 2016 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 6 percent in April compared to April 2015.

Total printing-writing paper inventory decreased less than 1 percent from March levels.

Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 3 percent relative to shipments in April 2015. UFS imports were down 25 percent year-over-year in March.

March coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 4 percent compared to April 2015. Imports of CFS papers decreased 19 percent in March, with exports down 17 percent year-over-year.

Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 6 percent when compared with April 2015. Imports of UM papers were down 16 percent in March while exports of UM in March increased 6 percent compared to the previous year.

Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in April decreased 20 percent when compared to April 2015. Imports of CM increased 16 percent in March compared to March 2015.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy.