2009 Paper Report Released

A new

report by the American Forest & Paper Association presents final data for the US paper and paperboard industry for 2009 and shows total production of these products declined 10.6 percent from the prior year to 79.1 million tons.

“These results reflected the effects of the economic downturn on the paper and paperboard industry in the United States,” said AF&PA chief economist Dr. Stanley Lancey. “However, paper and paperboard production rebounded 8.6 percent versus year ago during the first six months of 2010,” he said.

The report, 2009 Statistical Summary of Paper, Paperboard and Wood Pulp, shows U.S. exports of paper and paperboard retreated 10.9 percent to 13.8 million tons in 2009.

However, imports of these products fell further, down 20.5 percent from 2008 to 13.4 million tons, resulting in a positive balance of trade for this product segment. With exports picking up steam in the first half of 2010 while imports remain subdued, Dr. Lancey said he expects the trade balance to remain positive through the year.

For more information, visit www.afandpa.org.