AF&PA RELEASES PAPER REPORTS FOR NOVEMBER

Paper

The American Forest & Paper Association released its November 2022 U.S. paper reports.

Printing-Writing Paper

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 1 percent in November compared to November 2021. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased 13 percent in November compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 9 percent when compared to October 2022.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments remained essentially flat (-0.3 percent) compared to November 2021 while the inventory level increased 8 percent compared to October 2022. UFS imports increased 55 percent while exports decreased 24 percent in October 2022.
• U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in November increased 22 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased 14 percent compared to October 2022. CFS imports doubled, increasing 101 percent, while exports decreased 5 percent in October 2022.
• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments increased 5 percent compared to November 2021 while the inventory level increased 10 percent compared to October 2022. CM imports increased 41 percent while exports decreased 4 percent in October 2022.
• U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in November increased 5 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased 2 percent compared to October 2022. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2021, down 2 percent and 2 percent respectively.

U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in November decreased 9 percent compared to November 2021. They were down 3 percent when compared to the same 11 months of 2021.

• The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 81.7 percent, down 2.8 points from November 2021 and down 4.1 points year-to-date.
• Shipments of unbleached bag & sack paper were 81,200 short tons for the month of November, down 7.9 percent from November 2021.

Published in the February 2023 Edition