AF&PA Releases July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

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

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased 1% compared to July 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 7 months of 2025.

• The unbleached packaging papers operating rate increased to 87.5% in July, up from 85.7% in June, but below the rates seen between February and May this year. The year-to-date operating rate was 5.1 points higher than last year.

• Shipments of bleached food wrapping were down 3.6% from last July, but up 2.7% year-to-date.

• Total July 2026 inventories were down 4.9% compared to last July, though they did increase to their highest level since February.