WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its March 2024 Packaging Papers Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March decreased 5% compared to March 2023. They were down 2% when compared to the same 3 months of 2023.
- The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 82.5%, up 5.7 points from March 2023 and up 9.5 points year-to-date.
- Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers -- bag & sack -- were 99,700 short tons for the month of March, down 0.3% from the same month last year but up 3.5% 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.
