Report: June Paper Shipments Drop 8 Percent
WASHINGTON, DC—Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8 percent in June 2012 vs. June 2011, according to the American Forest & Paper Association’s “June 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report.” Shipments of coated free sheet and uncoated mechanical grades posted double-digit decreases, year-over-year, compared to last June.
U.S. purchases (calculated as shipments plus imports, minus exports) of printing-writing papers also decreased 8 percent in June. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 4 percent from last month, primarily due to double-digit decreases among the mechanical grade papers.
Additional key findings from the report include:
• Purchases of coated mechanical papers are up slightly compared to June 2011, which is the second consecutive year-over-year increase.
• Shipments of uncoated free sheet papers are down year-over-year, posting the second-largest decrease in past 20 months.
• Shipments of coated free sheet papers are at the highest level since November 2011, but still decreased year-over-year.
• Uncoated mechanical paper shipments are down double-digits compared to one year ago, but reached the highest point in the past five months.