Washington – According to the American Forest & Paper Association’s January 2011 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 2% in January compared to January 2010. Two of the four major printing-writing grades posted increases compared to last January. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers also decreased, down 4% in January. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 4% compared to December 2010.

Some additional key findings include:    
- Uncoated free sheet (UFS) inventory increases versus last month for the fourth consecutive month.
- Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments increase year-over-year for the 15th consecutive month.
- Coated mechanical (CM) shipments increase year-over-year for the first time in four months.
- Uncoated mechanical (UM) inventory increased versus last month in the double digits.

AF&PA members can access the full report on the AF&PA StatMill web site:
http://www.afandpa.statmill.org/getreports.asp?RepId=227&DateCode=JAN2011