Total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 4% this past March compared with March 2014, with inventory levels essentially unchanged from February, according to the recently released AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) March 2015 Printing-Writing Paper Report. Other key data from the March 2015 report include: 

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in March decreased 1% compared with March 2014. Imports of UFS increased 6% year-over-year in February but are down 2% year-to-date.
• March coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 3% compared with March 2014. Imports of CFS papers also decreased 3% in February, the first year-over-year decrease in the past 10 months.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 9% compared with March 2014. Imports of UM papers were down 12% in February, the eighth consecutive monthly decline.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in March decreased 14% relative to March 2014. Imports of CM were up 16% in February and exports increased by 17%, the second consecutive increase.