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AF&PA finds printing-writing paper shipments dropped in July 2017

Sep. 5, 2017 – According to the July 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 per cent in July compared to July 2016. This is the 11th consecutive year-over-year decrease following a modest fractional increase in August 2016.

All four printing-writing grade categories posted year-over-year shipment declines in July. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 2 per cent from June 2017.

Other report findings include:

• July uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased year-over-year at the lowest rate since the last increase in August 2016. Imports of UFS decreased by 22 per cent year-over-year in June while exports of UFS papers increased 41 per cent year-over-year in June. The 68,200 tonnes exported in June was the highest level of UFS exports since March 2015.

• Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in June for the 13th consecutive month. Imports of UM increased 8 per cent year-over-year in June while exports of UM decreased 14 per cent year-over-year in June.

• July shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers declined for the second consecutive month following the only year-over-year increase in 2017. Shipments of coated one-side free sheet papers decreased three percent year-over-year in July but remain flat for the year-to-date. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased 8 per cent year-over-year in June while exports of CFS papers decreased 4 per cent year-over-year in June.

• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in July, the second consecutive decline. Imports of CM decreased in June, down 5 per cent compared to June 2016 while exports of CM increased 12 per cent in June.