Provided is a method for producing paper and a pitch removal agent that can remove pitch efficiently.A pitch removal agent having an average polymerization degree of 300 to 2500, a saponification index of 70 to 88 mol % and satisfying, when the absorbance at a wavelength of 490 nm is designated as y (Abs) and the saponification index as x (mol %), the Numerical Formula (A) below is added to a pulp slurry during production of paper using waste paper in the step of deinking the waste paper by floatation and/or a step earlier: y=−0.0297x+b  (A) (wherein, 70≤x≤88 and 2.80≤b≤3.03).