The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the September 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in September compared to September 2024.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 6% when compared to August 2025.

Total year-to-date (YTD) printing-writing paper shipments decreased by 6.8%. Among the three major printing-writing paper categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) papers — performance was mixed: with UFS shipments declining 9% YTD, CFS declining 3%, and Mechanical (MECH) papers increasing 2%, albeit from a relatively small base volume.

A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202 463 4716.

About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.

The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry's decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.

Source: AF&PA