The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the August 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August increased 4% compared to August 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 8 months of 2025.
- Unbleached bag & sack shipments hit a new record at nearly 119,000 short tons in August. They were up 8.4% year-to-date.
- The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 91.1%; it was above 90% for the third time this year.
- Total August 2026 inventories were up 1% compared to last August and were at their highest level in the last 13 months.
A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting [email protected]
