WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association has released its March 2013 Printing-Writing Paper Report.
According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments were down 6 percent compared to March 2012.
Additional key findings:
• March shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased less than 1 percent compared to March 2012, with year-to-date CFS shipments essentially flat through the first quarter.
• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers shipments of 753,000 tons in March were 6 percent below the same period last year, with imports increasing 12 percent year-over-year in February and exports declining 12 percent.
• March uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 13 percent when compared to March 2012, with year-over-year exports through February up 28 percent.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in March decreased 9 percent compared to March 2012 to 247,800 tons. Imports of coated mechanical increased year-over-year through February, up 12 percent.
The complete report with detailed tables, charts, and historical data can be purchased by contacting Caroline Nealon at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-2448.
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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4.5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $200 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.