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AF&PA Releases August 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

PAPER INDUSTRY NEWS

Jino John

9/21/20261 min read

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the August 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August increased 4% compared to August 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 8 months of 2025.

  • Unbleached bag & sack shipments hit a new record at nearly 119,000 short tons in August. They were up 8.4% year-to-date.

  • The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 91.1%; it was above 90% for the third time this year.

  • Total August 2026 inventories were up 1% compared to last August and were at their highest level in the last 13 months.