U.S. Paper and Paperboard Production, Exports/Imports Down Dramatically in 2009

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U.S. production of paper and paperboard declined 10.6% from the prior year to 79.1 million tons, according to a new report issued this week by the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) titled 2009 Statistical Summary of Paper, Paperboard and Wood Pulp. Exports of paper and paperboard retreated 10.9% to 13.8 million tons in 2009. However, imports of these products fell further, down 20.5% from 2008 to 13.4 million tons, resulting in a positive balance of trade for this product segment,

"These results reflected the effects of the economic downturn on the paper and paperboard industry in the U.S.," says AF&PA chief economist Dr. Stanley Lancey. "However, paper and paperboard production rebounded 8.6% versus year ago during the first six months of 2010," he added. With exports picking up steam in the first half of 2010 while imports remain subdued, Dr. Lancey says he expects the trade balance to remain positive through the year.