The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has published the March 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March augmented 7% compared to March 2025. They were up 3% when compared to the same 3 months of 2025.
Total unbleached packaging paper shipments in March were at its top level in over 2 years, with an operating rate that exceeded 90%.
Bleached packaging papers were also up in March, increasing 5.5% from the same month last year, but down year-to-date.
Total inventories were at their lowest compared to the last 13 months.
About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.
The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually.
Source: AF&PA
