Printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8% in February

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its February 2017 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report released on March 21, 2017, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8% in February compared to February 2016. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels were flat from January 2017.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 6% year-over-year in February. UFS imports increased 9% in January compared to January 2016, with exports decreasing 5% year-over-year in January.
• February coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 8% compared to February 2016. Imports of CFS papers increased 5% year-over-year in January, and exports increased 2% in January relative to the previous year.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 23% in February compared to February 2016. Imports of UM increased 11% in January, with exports of UM in January increasing 17%.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in February decreased 8% when compared to February 2016. Imports of CM decreased 3% in January compared to January 2016, and exports increased 13% in January relative to the previous year.