American Forest & Paper Association releases February 2015 Printing-Writing statistics report

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its February 2015 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 percent in February compared to February 2014, with inventory levels essentially unchanged from January.

Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in February decreased 7 percent compared to February 2014. Imports of UFS decreased 10 percent year-over-year in January, following 14 consecutive months of increases.

February coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 1 percent compared to February 2014. Imports of CFS papers increased 10 percent in January compared to January 2014, the ninth consecutive year-over-year increase.

Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments increased 1 percent in February, the second consecutive month increase. Imports of UM papers were down 14 percent in January.

Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in February decreased 8 percent relative to February 2014, with the lowest level of shipments since 1995. Exports of CM increased 16 percent in January, the first increase in the past four months.