The American Forest & Paper Association has released US paper production statistics for February 2016.

February Printing-Writing Papers Report

Total printing-writing papers shipments increased 1.0% in February, compared to February 2015. Total p-w inventory was essentially unchanged from January levels.

Uncoated freesheet paper shipments increased 3.0% over shipments in February 2015, the first consecutive four-month period of year-over-year increases since December 2009. UFS imports were down 22% year-over-year in January.

Coated freesheet paper shipments increased 2.0% compared to February 2015. Imports of CFS papers decreased 14% in January, the 5th consecutive year-over-year decrease.

Uncoated mechanical paper shipments decreased 8.0% compared to February 3015. Imports of UM papers were down 17% in January, the 19th consecutive monthly decline.

Coated mechanical shipments in February were essentially unchanged relative to February 2015, down less than one-half of one percent. Imports of CM decreased 7.0% compared to the same month of the previous year

Boxboard Production in February

Total boxboard production increased 3.3% when compared to February 2015 and fell 6.1% from the previous month.

Unbleached Kraft boxboard production increased over the same month of last year, but decreased compared to January 2016.

Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased both when compared to February 2015 and to January of this year.

Recycled boxboard production increased compared to February 2015, but decreased compared to the previous month.

February Kraft Shipments

Total Kraft paper shipments were 139.8 thousand tons, 7.0% more than in February 2015.

Bleached Kraft paper shipments increased from 6.9 thousand short tons in January to 8.7 thousand, and unbleached Kraft shipments rose from 120.9 thousand short tons to 131.1 thousand. Overall, shipments in the first two months were 1.0% less than in the same period in 2015. Total month-end inventories fell to 70.8 thousand short tons.

Containerboard Production in February

Containerboard production was 4.5% greater than in February 2015. The month-over-month average daily production compared to January 2016 was 2.2% lower. The containerboard operating rate for February remained flat at 95.1% and the year-to-date operating rate of 95.2% also was flat compared to the same period in 2015.