Packaging Shipments Rise 4%
U.S. packaging paper and specialty shipments rose about 4% year‑over‑year in February, signaling stronger packaging throughput and continued warehouse activity into spring. — That shipment uptick is a leading indicator for fulfillment velocity and supports demand for distribution and e‑commerce space. (pulpapernews.com)
The unbleached packaging papers operating rate climbed to 83.9% in February, four percentage points higher than February 2025 and 2.3 points higher on a year‑to‑date basis. (afandpa.org) Bleached food wrapping shipments declined 1.5% versus February 2025, marking a specific weakness within food‑grade grades of packaging papers. (afandpa.org) Total packaging papers and specialty packaging inventories were reported 7% higher year‑over‑year in February. (afandpa.org) On a two‑month year‑to‑date basis through February, U.S. packaging papers shipments were 1% above the same period in 2025. (afandpa.org) AF&PA’s February Packaging Papers Monthly report was released March 19, 2026, and AF&PA lists Kory Bockman as the statistics/publications contact with phone 202‑463‑4716 and email Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org for purchase of detailed tables and historical data. (afandpa.org) The AF&PA release was picked up by trade outlets including PaperAge (March 21, 2026) and Pulp & Paper News (March 23, 2026), reflecting consistent coverage of the monthly packaging‑papers update across industry publications. (paperage.com)
