Total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 6% this past August compared with  August 2014, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) August 2015 Printing-Writing Paper Report published this week. Total P&W paper inventory levels increased less than one-half of one percent from July. The report shows that:  

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments were essentially flat compared with August 2014, with imports of UFS decreasing 29% year-over-year in July.
• August coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 7% compared with August 2014. Imports of CFS papers decreased 15% in July, the second year-over-year decrease in the past 12 months.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 13% compared with August 2014. Imports of UM papers were down 16% in July, the 13th consecutive monthly decline. 
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in August decreased 18% relative to August 2014. Imports of CM increased in July, up 29%, while exports of CM were down 34%, the second decrease in the past six months.

The report can be purchased by contacting Caroline Nealon Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org, or 202-463-2448.