2001 Paper Imports Fell Following Strong Growth

Through the first 10 months of 2001, the value of newsprint imported into the country decreased 3.1% from the January-through-October 2000 total. U.S. exports of newsprint to the rest of the world declined more than twice as much—by 7.9%—over this time period.

Imports of all other paper and paper products were down an even-steeper 6.6% between the first 10 months of 2000 and January through October of last year. The combined value of paper and newsprint imported into the United States through October 2001 totaled $8.190 billion, a level 5.3% lower than that of the first 10 months of 2000.

For the two paper categories combined, a total of $10.342 billion worth of product was imported into this country during 2000, an increase of 14.7% from the 1999 total. However, it appears that final numbers for 2001 will show about a 7% decline in overall paper imports.

Reduced demand for paper products has been keeping average prices low. Average prices received for imported paper and paper products fell a cumulative 6.9% between November 2000 and November 2001, according to data from the Labor Department's International Price Program. Imported paper prices fell sharply across the board over the middle months of last year, with declines in the six months between May and November totaling 8.5%.