SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2012 (RISI) -US-Canada pulp and paper railroad freight traffic in July at 37,397 carloads was down 3.4% from a year ago and 2.2% lower than in July 2010, the Assn of American Railroads reported.

US traffic in July was down 0.7% from 2011 and 1.9% higher than in 2010. Canadian traffic was lower by 8.1% and 9.1% respectively.

Combined lumber and wood products rail freight at 23,224 carloads in July was up 6.8% from 2011 and 20.9% higher than in 2010. Primary forest products freight was down 2% from 2011 and 4.6% lower than in 2010.

Total US-Canada rail traffic in July was off 0.2% from a year ago and from 2010.

AAR showed US-Canada-Mexico pulp and paper freight through 30 weeks of 2012 at 283,068 carloads was down 2.3% from the same period of 2011. Lumber and wood products was 10.4% higher and primary forest products was up 3.3%.