Dec. 28, 2009 - The American Forest & Paper Association said in its November 2009 U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Report that total printing-writing paper shipments increased 2% in November compared to November 2008 — this is the first year-ago increase in nearly two years, the last coming in February 2008.

For the year to date, shipments were down 17% — all four major printing-writing grades recorded the lowest year to date decline when compared to 2008 for the fifth consecutive month.

U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers also increased in November, up 1% versus year-ago November yet are still down 19% for the year to date.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 6,500 tons, less than half a percentage point, from October.

Other key findings from AF&PA's report include:

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments were essentially flat compared to November 2008.
• Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments were up versus year-ago for the first time since November 2007.
• Year-ago increase of coated mechanical (CM) shipments hits highest percentage since July 2007.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) shipments alone among four grades to decline compared to November 2008.

SOURCE: American Forest & Paper Association