Nov 25, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. U.S. printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in October compared to October 2008. For the year to date, shipments were down 18% – all four major printing-writing grades recorded the lowest year to date decline when compared to 2008 for the fourth consecutive month, the American Forest & Paper Association said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers dropped 12% in October versus year-ago October and declined 20% for the year to date. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 113,300 tons, or 6%, from September.