Report Shows Drop in Paper Shipments, Inventories

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its October 2018 Printing-Writing Papers Monthly report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 4% in October compared to October 2017. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 2% from September. Imports of printing-writing papers in September increased 4% compared to September 2017 imports, while exports declined 27% compared to September 2017.

• Inventory of uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper decreased 4% in October from September, down to the lowest inventory level in at least seven years. Shipments declined 2% year-over-year in October. Exports of UFS papers decreased 43% in September compared to September 2017, the largest decrease in at least six years.
• Shipments of coated mechanical (CM) papers decreased by more than 10% year-over-year for the eighth time in 2018. Imports of CM increased 7% year-over-year in September.
• U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) paper in October increased for the first time since June 2017. Meanwhile, U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased 10% year-over-year in October. September imports of CFS papers increased 17% compared to September 2017, while imports of UM papers decreased 3% compared to last September.

Source: American Forest & Paper Association 

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with In-plant Graphics. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of In-plant Graphics.