Total U.S printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 5% in March compared with March 2017, as reported this week by the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) in its March 2018 Printing-Writing Paper Report. 

U.S. purchases of P&W papers decreased 7% in March. Total P&W paper inventory levels decreased 2% percent from February 2018. Imports of P&W papers increased 6% compared with February 2017 imports, while exports increased 5% compared with February 2017.

• Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year for the tenth consecutive month. Imports of CM increased 21% compared with February 2017. Exports of CM decreased 5% in February compared with the same month in 2017.
• Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper in March declined year-over-year. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased 2% year-over-year in February. Exports of CFS papers decreased 5% percent year-over-year in February.
• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in March 2018 decreased year-over-year for the first time in 2018, following two months of year-over-year increases; meanwhile, shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in March 2018 for the 21st consecutive month.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts, and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at TAPPI, or 202-463-4716.