Purchases of Printing-Writing Papers Decreased 22% in January

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

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 25% in January compared to January 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 22% in January compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 3% when compared to December 2020.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 20% compared to January 2020 while the inventory level increased 3% compared to December 2020. UFS imports increased 41% while exports decreased 40% in December 2020.
• U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in January decreased 32% compared to last January while the inventory level increased 2% compared to December 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 21% and 6%, respectively.
• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 33% compared to January 2020 while the inventory level remained essentially flat (+0.1%) compared to December 2020. CM imports decreased 34% while exports increased 12% in December 2020.
• U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in January decreased 24% compared to last January while the inventory level increased 14% compared to December 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 19% and 8%, respectively.

Source: American Forest & Paper Association