Month in Statistics

U.S. production of paper and paperboard (seasonally unadjusted) during the first 11 months of 1997 rose 5.4% over the same period last year, according to the American Forest & Paper Assn. Paper production through November reached 41.2 million tons, a 5.5% hike above the same 1996 period, while total paperboard topped 46.1 million tons, up 5.4% from the 1996 period.

Among major grades (year-to-date basis), coated paper shipments increased 14.4% from a year ago, newsprint production rose 4.1%, and tissue increased 2.3%, with year-to-date production and shipment gains seen across the board. Unbleached kraft liner for domestic use in November rose 1.3% from a year ago, with total boxboard for domestic packaging flat at 0.3%. U.S. market woodpulp production through November rose 3.2% from 1996 and total woodpulp rose 1.7%. Consumption of recovered paper in November at U.S. mills hit 2.96 million tons; year-to-date recovered paper consumption hit 32.6 million, a 3.4% increase over the same 1996 period.

Canadian newsprint shipments totaled 744,000 metric tons in November, down 11% from a year ago. November operating rates were 94%.