The American Forest & Paper Association released its August 2023 U.S. paper reports.
Printing-Writing
According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 20 percent in August compared to August 2022. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 33 percent in July compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent when compared to July 2023.
U.S. shipments increased in all three major P-W grades (UFS, CFS and MECH) when compared to July, with uncoated free sheet papers recording the greatest increase by volume of approximately 33,000 tons. Net imports in all 3 major grades decreased in July compared to the same month last year. July year-to-date U.S. purchases by volume decreased 22 percent compared to the same period last year.
Packaging Papers
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August decreased 4 percent compared to August 2022. They were down 3 percent when compared to the same 8 months of 2022.
- Shipments of the biggest subgrade in bleached packaging papers – food wrapping – were 25,900 short tons for the month of August, down 16.4 percent year-to-date.
- The unbleached packaging papers operating rate was 83.7 percent, down 9.6 points from August 2023 and down 9.4 points year-to-date.
