The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) publishedthe April 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total year to date printing-writing paper shipments fell 10% in April compared to April 2025.
Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 1% when compared to March 2026.
Using the latest available U.S. Census Bureau trade data, March net imports of total printing writing papers shrinked 9% compared to the same month last year. Across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — net imports demonostrated mixed year over year results. UFS net imports increased 11%, CFS net imports decreased 42%, and MECH net imports declined 8%.
About AF&PA:
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.
The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually.
