MARCH 2010 PRINTING-WRITING PAPER REPORT:
Total Printing-Writing Paper Shipments in March Up 12% from 2009

WASHINGTON – According to the American Forest and Paper Association's March 2010 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 12% in March compared to March 2009 -- the fifth consecutive year-ago increase and the second double-digit year-ago increase. All four of the major printing-writing grades posted increases compared to last March, and three recorded double-digit growth when compared to 2009. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports - exports) of printing-writing papers also increased in March, up 8% versus year-ago March. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased slightly from February 2010, down 1%.

Some additional key findings include:
•    Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments up versus year-ago for fourth consecutive month.
•    Coated free sheet (CFS) shipment surge also fourth double-digit growth versus year-ago.
•    Year-ago shipments of coated mechanical (CM) thumbs nose at CFS shipments with bigger surge and fifth consecutive double-digit year-ago increase.
•    Increase of uncoated mechanical (UM) shipments passes 20% for second time in past three months.

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=MAR2010

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The American Forest and Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources that sustain the environment. The forest products industry employs one million workers and generates six percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org.

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