Jan 07, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Newsprint consumption in the US fell 2% in November, with daily newspapers consuming 3.1% less newsprint, according to report by the Pulp and Paper Products Council. It is worth noting, however, that there was an additional Sunday in November 2003. So far this year, dailies’ consumption has declined by 1.4%.

 

In November, North American shipments managed to post a small increase of 0.4% thanks to a 12% rise in offshore deliveries. Shipments to Canada remained unchanged from a year ago, whereas sales to the U.S. decreased 2.8% due largely to consumers reducing their inventories (-25 000 tonnes). At the end of November, North American mill inventories also declined, shrinking by 34 000 tonnes from the preceding month to close at 312 000 tonnes.

 

North American Newsprint Statistics

000s tonnes

 

 

November

Year to date

2004

2003

Change

2004

2003

Change

NORTH AMERICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

1 088

1 119

-2.8%

12 250

12 542

-2.3%

Operating Rate

93%

94%

 

92%

93%

 

Total Shipments

1 122

1 117

0.4%

12 240

12 468

-1.8%

To Canada

92

91

1.4%

991

1 026

-3.5%

To United States

781

804

-2.8%

8 943

9 050

-1.2%

To Other Markets

249

223

11.7%

2 307

2 393

-3.6%

CANADA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

674

697

-3.3%

7 541

7 822

-3.6%

Operating Rate

93%

94%

 

92%

93%

 

Total Shipments

707

697

1.6%

7 528

7 780

-3.2%

To Canada

90

87

3.3%

967

999

-3.2%

To United States

410

430

-4.5%

4 687

4 850

-3.4%

To Other Markets

207

180

15.2%

1 874

1 931

-2.9%

UNITED STATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

413

421

-1.8%

4 709

4 720

-0.2%

Operating Rate

95%

94%

 

93%

92%

 

Total Shipments

414

421

-1.5%

4 712

4 688

0.5%

To Canada

2

3

-47.3%

23

27

-13.0%

To United States

370

374

-0.9%

4 256

4 200

1.3%

To Other Markets

42

43

-2.7%

433

462

-6.3%

US CONSUMPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Consumers

824

841

-2.0%

9 126

9 264

-1.5%

Daily Newspapers

660

681

-3.1%

7 336

7 441

-1.4%

 

Nov

2004

Oct

2004

Sep

2004

Nov

2003

Change From Month Ago

Change From Year Ago

INVENTORIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American Producers

312

346

311

352

- 34

- 40

All US Consumers

1 005

1 030

1 103

987

- 25

18

US Daily Newspapers

883

899

948

844 9

- 16

3

DAYS SUPPLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

All US Consumers

38

38

38

37

0

1

US Daily Newspapers

41

41

41

39

0

2