Latest AF&PA Printing-Writing Paper Monthly Report Shows Total Shipments Decreased 20%

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its March 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 20% in March compared to March 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 18% in March compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5% when compared to February 2021.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 14% compared to March 2020 while the inventory level decreased 6% compared to February 2021. UFS imports increased 5% while exports decreased 39% in February 2021.
• U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in March decreased 29% compared to last March while the inventory level decreased 6% compared to February 2021. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to February 2020, down 23% and 2% respectively.
• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 40% compared to March 2020 while the inventory level increased 2% compared to February 2021. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to February 2020, down 2% and 9% respectively.
• U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in March decreased 15% compared to last March while the inventory level decreased 8% compared to February 2021. UM imports remained essentially flat (-0.2%) while exports decreased 28% in February 2021.

Source: American Forest & Paper Association