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According to the American Forest & Paper Association’s November 2009 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 2 percent in November compared to the same time last year. This is the first year-ago increase in nearly two years, the last coming in February 2008.
For the year to date, shipments were down 17 percent – all four major printing-writing grades recorded the lowest year to date decline when compared to 2008 for the fifth consecutive month.
U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers also increased in November, up 1 percent versus year-ago November yet are still down 19 percent for the year to date. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 6,500 tons, less than half a percentage point, from October.
Other key findings from the report include:
• Uncoated free sheet shipments were essentially flat compared to November 2008.
• Coated free sheet shipments were up versus year-ago for the first time since November 2007.
• Year-ago increase of coated mechanical shipments hits highest percentage since July 2007.
• Uncoated mechanical shipments alone among four grades to decline compared to November 2008.