US printing-writing paper shipments down 8 per cent in July

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its July 2015 Printing-Writing Paper Report which said total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8 percent in July compared to July 2014, with inventory levels increasing 2 percent from June.

Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in July decreased 2 percent compared to July 2014, with imports of UFS increasing 26 percent year-over-year in June.

Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 12 percent compared to July 2014. Imports of CFS papers increased less than 1 percent in June, with exports down 15 percent.

Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 14 percent when compared with July 2014. Imports of UM papers were down 12 percent in June, the 12th consecutive monthly decline. Inventories of UM increased in July, up 10 percent.

Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in July decreased 18 percent relative to July 2014. Imports of CM increased in June, up 9 percent, while exports of CM were down 19 percent, the first decrease in the past six months.