Apr 16, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Total fiber consumption by U.S. paper mills – including wood pulp, recovered paper and non-wood fibers – declined 10.5% in 2009 to 80.0 million tons, reflecting the 10.2% reduction in paper and paperboard production. Consumption of both recovered paper and wood pulp dropped at almost the same rate, American Forest & Paper Association reported. Total fiber consumption is estimated to increase at an average annual rate of 2.2% during the three-year period 2010-12 as the U.S. economy recovers from the recession. Wood pulp consumption is estimated to increase from 50.6 million tons in 2009 to 53.3 million tons in 2012, an average annual rate of 1.7%. Recovered paper consumption is estimated to increase at an average annual rate of 3.1% during the same period.