AF&PA releases printing-writing, packaging papers reports

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, has released its June 2022 printing-writing and packaging papers monthly reports, which indicate shipments for both grades decreased compared with June 2021.

According to the printing-writing paper report, shipments decreased 2 percent in June compared with June 2021 while total inventory levels decreased 2 percent compared with May 2022.

The AF&PA also reports U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased 3 percent in June compared with last year.

The organization also reports:

• U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers in June increased 2 percent compared with June 2021 while the inventory level decreased 2 percent compared with May 2022. UFS imports increased 18 percent while exports decreased 20 percent in May.
• Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments increased 2 percent compared with June 2021 as inventory level decreased 1 percent compared with May levels. CFS imports increased 10 percent while exports decreased 1 percent in May.
• U.S. purchases of coated mechanical (CM) in June decreased 16 percent compared with last June, while inventory levels decreased 8 percent compared with May 2022. CM imports and exports both decreased compared with May 2021, down 16 percent and 19 percent respectively.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments increased 28 percent compared with June 2021 while inventory levels decreased 4 percent compared with May 2022. UM imports increased 8 percent and exports decreased 30 percent in May.

The AF&PA says packaging and specialty packaging shipments in June decreased 4 percent compared with June 2021 and essentially were flat compared with the same six months of 202.

The packaging papers report also shows:

• The operating rate was 86.4 percent, down 4.7 points from June 2021 and essentially flat (+0.2 points) year to date.
• Mill inventories at the end of June remained essentially flat (-182 short tons) from the previous month and were up 9,000 short tons compared with June 2021.