Dec 07, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Newsprint consumption in the US fell 2.1% in October, according to report by the Pulp and Paper Products Council. Daily newspapers consumed 1.5% less newsprint and, so far this year, their consumption has declined by 1.3%.

 

In October, North American shipments fell 2.7% compared to the same month of last year. Deliveries to Canada and to the U.S. dropped 9% and 2.1%, respectively. Sales to offshore markets also decreased in October, falling 2.4%. At the end of October, North American mill inventories had climbed by 35 000 tonnes from the preceding month, closing at 347 000 tonnes.

 

North American Newsprint Statistics

000s tonnes

 

 

October

Year to date

2004

2003

Change

2004

2003

Change

NORTH AMERICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

1 168

1 183

-1.3%

11 140

11 423

-2.5%

Operating Rate

93%

94%

 

92%

93%

 

Total Shipments

1 132

1 164

-2.7%

11 095

11 351

-2.3%

To Canada

93

102

-9.0%

899

936

-3.9%

To United States

821

838

-2.1%

8 140

8 246

-1.3%

To Other Markets

218

223

-2.4%

2 057

2 170

-5.2%

CANADA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

715

720

-0.8%

6 844

7 124

-3.9%

Operating Rate

93%

92%

 

92%

93%

 

Total Shipments

688

720

-4.4%

6 798

7 084

-4.0%

To Canada

91

99

-8.4%

877

912

-3.8%

To United States

423

437

-3.1%

2 454

4 420

-3.8%

To Other Markets

174

184

-5.4%

1 666

1 751

-4.8%

UNITED STATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

453

462

-2.1%

4 295

4 299

-0.1%

Operating Rate

94%

95%

 

93%

92%

 

Total Shipments

444

444

0.0%

4 298

4 268

0.7%

To Canada

2

3

-27.3%

22

23

-8.2%

To United States

398

402

-0.9%

3 886

3 826

1.6%

To Other Markets

44

40

11.9%

391

418

-6.7%

US CONSUMPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Consumers

910

930

-2.1%

8 286

8 422

-1.6%

Daily Newspapers

730

741

-1.5%

6 676

6 760

-1.3%

 

October

2004

September

2004

August

2004

October

2003

Change From Month Ago

Change From Year Ago

INVENTORIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American Producers

347

311

343

351

35

-4

All US Consumers

1 034

1 100

1 117

1 005

-66

29

US Daily Newspapers

898

948

966

878

-55

21

DAYS SUPPLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

All US Consumers

37

38

40

36

-1

1

US Daily Newspapers

40

41

43

39

-1

1