Total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 6% in July compared with July 2013, with total paper inventories declining 1% compared with June, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) July 2014 Printing-Writing Paper Report released this past week. Uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper shipments in July decreased 10% compared with July 2013. YTD shipments are down 8% in 2014. 

Imports of UFS increased year-over-year for the eighth consecutive month and were up 20% in 2014, with imports from Indonesia having doubled relative to the same six months in 2013.

July coated freesheet (CFS) paper shipments increased 1% compared with 2013. Year-to-date shipments of coated freesheet grades are down 1%, and imports through June are down 2%.

Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments increased 7% in July, the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Year-to-date shipments of UM are up 4% compared with 2013.

Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments in July decreased 11% relative to July 2013 and are down 6% for the year. Imports of CM in June were down 17% compared with June 2013 and CM exports increased 33% year-over-year in June, but are down 2% year-to-date.