Paper Sales Down Again

On June 16th, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its May 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 35 percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 30 percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent when compared to April 2020.

  • Un-coated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 34 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased 4 percent compared to April 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 28 percent and 29 percent respectively.
  • U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 31 percent compared to last May, while the inventory level decreased  2 percent compared to April 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down two percent and 25 percent respectively.
  • Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 36 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased 3 percent compared to April 2020. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 32 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
  • U.S. purchases of un-coated mechanical (UM) papers in May decreased 8 percent compared to last May, while the inventory level decreased 3 percent compared to April 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 27 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

Additionally, the AF&PA had reported last month that writing-paper shipments were down 30 percent in April.

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

More Resources

May 2020: Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Down 30 Percent in April