U.S. P&W Paper Shipments Decrease 6% in November 2017

According to the AFPA (Washington, D.C., USA) November 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly Report, total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 6% in November 2017 compared with November 2016. 

Shipments of uncoated free sheet remained flat while the remaining three major P&W paper grades declined year-over-year. Total P&W paper inventory levels increased less than one-half of one percent from October 2017. Key data from the report include: 

• November uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments were flat year-over-year following year-over-year increases in two of the previous three months. Imports of UFS decreased by 30% year-over-year in October—the fifth consecutive monthly decrease, with imports down 12% year-to-date. Exports of UFS papers increased 30% year-over-year in October, following the 26% year-over-year increase in September, the sixth double-digit percent year-over-year increase in a row.
• Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper in November declined by a double-digit percentage for the second consecutive month. U.S. imports of CFS papers decreased 9% year-over-year in October, the fourth consecutive year-over-year decline. Exports of CFS papers increased 6% year-over-year in October—the fourth consecutive year-over-year monthly increase thus far in 2017.
• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in November for the sixth consecutive month. Imports of CM were essentially flat or just under one-half of one percent compared with October 2016. Exports of CM increased 14% in October to 33,000 tons and for the year sit 3% lower than year-to-date 2016.
• Exports of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased 4% year-over-year in September, but reached second-highest level in the past 24 months. Overall shipments of UM have declined year-over-year for 17 consecutive months. Imports of UM decreased 13% year-over-year in September.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts, and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman, 202-463-4716.