According to the American Forest & Paper Association’s January 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 3% in January compared to January 2011. All four major printing-writing grades posted decreases compared to last January. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers decreased 8% in January. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 1% compared to December 2011.
 
Some points of interest from the report include: Shipments of uncoated free sheet (UFS) decreased year-over-year one percent, but posted a five percent increase month-over-month. Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) decreased year-over-year two percent, while purchases decreased by eleven percent. Coated mechanical (CM) shipments decreased five percent, which is the lowest year-over-year decrease since March 2011 when it increased. Uncoated mechanical (UM) shipments decreased by double-digit percentages for the eighth consecutive month, yet it is the lowest decrease in the stretch, only hitting ten percent by rounding.