WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the May 2023 Packaging Papers Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in May decreased 5% compared to May 2022. They were down 4% when compared to the same 5 months of 2022.
- Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack -- were 89,800 for the month of May.
- The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 76.6%, up 0.5 points from May 2022 and down 4.8 points year-to-date.
The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.
Source: AF&PA
