Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 25 Percent in January 2021

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels in January 2021 increased three percent when compared to December 2020.

Feb. 16, 2021 - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released its January 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 25 percent in January compared to January 2020.

U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 22 percent in January compared to the same month last year.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased three percent when compared to December 2020.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 20 percent compared to January 2020 while the inventory level increased three percent compared to December 2020. UFS imports increased 41 percent while exports decreased 40 percent in December 2020.
• U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in January decreased 32 percent compared to last January while the inventory level increased two percent compared to December 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 21 percent and six percent respectively.
• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 33 percent compared to January 2020 while the inventory level remained essentially flat (+0.1 percent) compared to December 2020. CM imports decreased 34 percent while exports increased 12 percent in December 2020.
• U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in January decreased 24 percent compared to last January while the inventory level increased 14 percent compared to December 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 19 percent and eight percent respectively.

A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@AFandPA.org or 202-463-4716.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.

The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures approximately $300 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 950,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $55 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow AF&PA on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

SOURCE: AF&PA