Paper Shipments Down 9 Percent

According to the American Forest & Paper Association's May 2015 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9 percent in May compared to May 2014, with inventory levels increasing 8 percent from April.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in May decreased 5 percent compared to May 2014. Imports of UFS decreased 12 percent year-over-year in April.
• May coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 10 percent compared to May 2014. Imports of CFS papers increased 28 percent in April, the eleventh year-over-year increase in the last 12 months.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 19 percent when compared with May 2014. Imports of UM papers were down 25 percent in April, the tenth consecutive monthly decline.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in May decreased 14 percent relative to May 2014. Imports of CM increased in April, up 17 percent compared to April 2014, while exports of CM were up 16 percent.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts, and historical data can be purchased by contacting Caroline Nealon at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or (202) 463-2448.

About American Forest & Paper Association
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative— Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.

Source: AF&PA.