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American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly Report

CONTACT: Tim Ebner 
(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON — The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released its May 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 35 percent in May compared to May 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 30 percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent when compared to April 2020.

Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 34 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to April 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 28 percent and 29 percent respectively.

U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 31 percent compared to last May, while the inventory level decreased two percent compared to April 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down two percent and 25 percent respectively.

Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 36 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased three percent compared to April 2020. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 32 percent and 13 percent respectively.

U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May decreased eight percent compared to last May while, the inventory level decreased three percent compared to April 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 27 percent and 42 percent respectively.

A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman Statistics_Publications@AFandPA.org or 202-463-4716.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030