The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased one percent compared to July 2025. They were up five percent when compared to the same seven months of 2025.
The unbleached packaging papers operating rate increased to 87.5 percent in July, up from 85.7 percent 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 percent from last July, but up 2.7percent year-to-date.
Total July 2026 inventories were down 4.9 percent compared to last July, though they did increase to their highest level since February.
