U.S. board output, pulp shipments dip in May

US paper production was 3.783 million tons in May 2000, up 3.4% from May 1999. Production year-to-date totaled 19.087 million tons, an increase of 2.3% from 18.654 million tons during 1999. Total US paperboard production was 4.185 million tons in May 2000, a decrease of 2.6% from may 1999. For the five months, board production totaled 21.216 million tons, an increase of 1.0% from 1999. US shipments of market pulp were down 5.3% in May 2000 from May 1999 at 708,000 tons. For the five months, shipments of 3.442 million tons were flat from 1999, up to 0.3%.