Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 13% in January 2026

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the January 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 13% in January compared to January 2025.

U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 16% in January compared to the same month last year.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 3% when compared to December 2025.

Using the latest available trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, November 2025, across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — exports declined 19% while imports declined 10%, compared to November 2024.

Individually, only CFS exports showed an increase — up 9%.