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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PP9FSpQUwIegwKNiSryTdwm8Y+1pRKOsjiO5BBKzNipIYv2D4w3CC1S/Sl2sZdDT
 RElpiqDMj8go39WuVvhqcA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-003325.txt : 20100203
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-003325.hdr.sgml : 20100203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100203160648
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-003325
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100203
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FERRARO DAVID B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220296

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14030
		FILM NUMBER:		10570757

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899597
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PULP MILLS [2611]
		IRS NUMBER:				621518973
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 80407
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38108-0407
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9013208174

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 80407
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38108-0407

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BUCKEYE CELLULOSE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930326
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899597</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BKI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220296</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERRARO DAVID B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1001 TILLMAN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>38112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>164094</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>28439</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Morgan Keegan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David B. Ferraro</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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