US mill consumption of recovered paper fell a whopping 15% and 3.0 million tons this year through July compared with last year. Conversely, US export demand was up roughly 200,000 tons in the first half this year, driven up by strong demand from China, India, and South America.

China purchased 68% of total US exports in the first half.

Total exports were 9.46 million tonnes, according to the US Dept of Commerce, Bureau of Census.

China's total was 6.4 million tonnes as mills in China through most of the first half rebuilt stock, contacts said. Export pricing to China from the USA rose from March through last week by $60/ton on old corrugated containers. US OCC export pricing to China dropped $20/ton last week.

While China's demand was strong, US shipments to Mexico and Canada were down 33% and 41%, respectively, in the first half this year.