The production of newsprint by North American producers continues to fall sharply. The most recent figures from the Pulp and Paper Products Council shows total North American newsprint production declining by 9.8 percent for November to 1.146 million metric tons. The drop for the month pushed the 11-month total to 13.212 million metric tons, a 9.2 percent drop from figures the same time the previous year.
The operating rate at newsprint mills also posted a steep drop between the two months. For November 2001, the operating rate stands at 87 percent of capacity, compared to November 2000’s operating rate of 96 percent of capacity. For the first 11 months the operating rate stands at 89 percent of capacity, compared to 2000’s 11-month average of 97 percent of capacity.
Along with declining production, shipments dipped for both the month and first 11 months of the year. For November, shipments stand at 1.168 million metric tons, an 8.4 percent drop from the prior year, while shipments through the first 11 months stand at 13.085 million metric tons, a 10.3 percent drop.