US paper shipments continue to decline

February 17, 2023

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its January 2023 Printing-Writing Monthly report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in January compared to January 2022.

U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased 3% in January compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 2% when compared to December 2022.

January shipments decreased in three of the four major P-W grades when compared to the same month the year before, with uncoated mechanical papers recording the sole year-ago increase.

In 2022 year to date net imports increased in all four major grades, with coated and uncoated free sheet showing the greatest percent increase and coated mechanical increasing the least.