world news - 14.11.2003

North America: Higher Paper Demand

North American printing and writing paper demand was down 0.3% in September, bringing the year-to-date increase to 0.8%. Shipments to North America dropped nearly 2% year-over-year and 1.5% after nine months. In September, sales to oversea markets grew 25% compared to the same month last year, for an increase of 17% so far this year. As a result, the operating rate (shipments / capacity) for the first nine months of 2003 was 89% compared to 90% a year ago. Mill inventories closed the month at 2.6 million tonnes, 111 000 tonnes less than at the end of August 2003.

• — Swedish Softwood Saw-Timber Exports Declined by 5,7% to 8,8 Million Cub M - 11.11.2003
• — Brazil: Forest Exports Pass US$5 Billion - 05.11.2003
• — Brazil tropical sawnwood exports up 18% - 05.11.2003
• — High demand lifts prices for Brazilian pine plywood - 05.11.2003
• — Russia Reduces Lumber Export Duty - 08.12.2003