WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association has released its March 2016 Printing-Writing Paper Report.

According to the report released on April 27, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 4 percent in March compared to March 2015. Total printing-writing paper inventory decreased 2 percent from February levels.

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased for the first time in 2016, down 1 percent relative to shipments in March 2015. UFS imports were down 19 percent year-over-year in February.
•  March coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 8 percent compared to March 2015. Imports of CFS papers increased 12 percent in February with exports up 2 percent year-over-year.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 8 percent when compared with March 2015. Imports of UM papers were down 2 percent in February while exports of UM in February increased 56 percent compared to the previous year.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in March decreased 4 percent when compared to March 2015. Imports of CM decreased 14 percent in February compared to February 2015.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Caroline Nealon at [email protected] or 202-463-2448.