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AF&PA Releases May 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly Report

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org 

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its May 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly report.  

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 11 percent in May compared to May 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased six percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (+0.3 percent) when compared to April 2021.  

  • Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased 22 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to April 2021. UFS imports and exports both increased compared to April 2020, up 10 percent and 25 percent respectively. 
  • U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased one percent compared to April 2021. CFS imports decreased 14 percent while exports increased 32 percent in April 2021. 
  • Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 14 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased one percent compared to April 2021. CM imports decreased 17 percent while exports increased five percent in April 2021. 
  • U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May increased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased 15 percent compared to April 2021. UM imports increased 10 percent while exports decreased 17 percent in April 2021. 

 A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at 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