Printing-writing paper shipments down 13 per cent in August in the US

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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its August 2019 Printing-Writing Monthly report on Friday, September 13.

According to the August 2019 Printing-Writing Monthly report from AF&PA, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 14 percent in August compared to August 2018. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers declined 13 percent in August compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat compared to July 2019.

- U.S. shipments of coated mechanical (CM) paper decreased seven percent in August from the same month one year ago. The inventory level of CM papers increased eight percent in August compared to July. CM imports increased while exports declined in July 2019.

- U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased 16 percent in August when compared to August 2018. Inventories decreased eight percent compared to last month. Imports and exports of UM papers in July 2019 both decreased year-over-year.

- U.S. shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 18 percent year-over-year in August while U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper decreased 12 percent. Inventory levels at the end of August when compared to July decreased for both CFS and remained flat for UFS papers. In July, imports and exports of CFS both decreased and for UFS papers, both increased year-over-year.