<B>Exports Show Sharp Growth Through April</B>

Total paper stock exports posted a sharp increase over the first four months of the year. The most recent figures from the U.S. Commerce Department show total exports of recovered fiber climbing 12.9 percent from Jan.-April. On an annual rate, year to date, exports of the commodity stand at 9.292 million tons.

While paper stock exports posted a sharp increase, total exports posted either a more modest improvement, or, in some cases, a decline. Pulpwood chip exports dropped close to 20 percent between the two years, while pulpwood and roundwood exports moved up a much slimmer 0.7 percent.

While exports to China continue to capture the fancy of many paper stock dealers, Canada continues to be the biggedst drive for the export market. During the first four months of the year paper stock exports to Canada soared 27.9 percent, with the export total, on an annual rate, year to date, standing at2.764 million tons.