The American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA) has released its June 2017 Printing-Writing Paper Report. According to the report, total printing and writing paper shipments decreased 5% in June compared to June of 2016. All four printing-writing grades posted year-over-year shipment declines in June. However, total printing and writing paper inventory levels increased by 1% from May 2017. Other report highlights include:
- Shipments of Coated Free Sheet (CFS) papers decreased 3% year-over-year in June following the increase last month. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased by 25% year-over-year in May, while exports of CFS papers increased 12% over the same time period.
- June Uncoated Free Sheet (UFS) paper shipments declined 4% year-over-year. Imports of UFS decreased by 4% year-over-year in May while exports of UFS papers increased 23% over the same time period.
- Coated Mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined 5% year-over-year in June, the fourth decline in 2017. Imports of CM decreased in May, down 12% compared to May of 2016, while exports of CM increased 30% in May.
- Shipments of Uncoated Mechanical (UM) papers decreased 21% year-over-year in June. Both imports and exports of UM decreased year-over-year in May, down 12% and 46%, respectively.
