US printing-writing paper shipments down 9% in September 2025

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) published the September 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in September compared to September 2024.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 6% when compared to August 2025.

Total year-to-date (YTD) printing-writing paper shipments decreased by 6.8%. Among the three major printing-writing paper categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) papers — performance was mixed: with UFS shipments declining 9% YTD, CFS declining 3%, and Mechanical (MECH) papers increasing 2%, albeit from a relatively small base volume.

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.