Sep 24, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Czech paper and cardboard output decreased by 3% to 503,331 tonnes year-on-year in the first half of this year, according to statistics of the Czech paper industry association. The production continues the trend of stagnation started last year. The growing paper consumption, which stood at 148 kilogrammes per capita last year, is covered by imports to a major extent, Paper Index reported. Exports, on the other hand, account for 80%of the production. The paper and cardboard output had been growing for seven years in a row until 2006. The 2006 figure of 1.042 million tonnes was an increase of more than one third compared to 1999. About 800 thousand tonnes of paper were exported in 2006, up one tenth year-on-year. Milos Lesikar of the Association of Pulp and Paper Industry told CTK some time ago that domestic paper production had reached the limits of the current capacities. Experts say this year's paper output will be negatively affected by the wind-up of the paper mill in Steti, north Bohemia. The owner Norske Skog halted production in Steti in May. Compared to last year, paper and cardboard exports decreased by 3%, while imports registered a 3% increase on the year. Exports of paper products grew by 20%, while their imports increased by 53%. Czech paper consumption lags behind the EU average, which was around 200 kilograms per capita before the accession of new members. Compared to other eastern European countries, however, the Czech consumption is higher. Slovaks, for instance, consume around 90 kilograms of paper per capita annually.