Afpa Reports 10% Month-On-Month Drop In U.S. Packaging Papers Shipments In November

The American Forest & Paper Association’s November 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report shows total U.S. packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments fell 10% versus October, though they rose 1% compared with November 2024 and are also up 1% for the first 11 months of 2025 versus the same period last year. The unbleached packaging segment saw its operating rate slip to 79%, the second-lowest level of the year after May’s 76.9%, with capacity down 1.6% year-to-date. Bleached food wrapping shipments declined 2.2% year-on-year for November, but remain 7.4% higher on a year-to-date basis, pointing to sustained demand in that niche. Mill and converter inventories increased 6.2% from November 2024, suggesting supply is running ahead of current shipment levels. AF&PA emphasized the sector’s broader economic role, with the U.S. forest products industry employing over 925,000 people and generating about 4.7% of U.S. manufacturing GDP.​