Aug 04, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Russian newsprint production increased 9.2% to 161 thousand tons in June 2004 compared with the prior period in 2003, State statistics committee reported. Commodity pulp production increased 3.4% to 203 thousand tons, paper – up 7.1% to 308 thousand tons, cardboard – up 9.4% to 236 thousand tons, commodity cardboard – up 11.2% to 177 thousand tons, paper bags – up 11% to 43.8 million pieces, cardboard boxes – up 5.1% to 136 million sq m. Writing and copy-book paper production declined 2.3% to 6.3 thousand tons. Overall pulp and paper production increased 6.3% within 6 months in 2004.