:2023-08-18 Source:AF&PA Category: Data
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the July 2023 Packaging Papers Monthly report and Printing-Writing Monthly report.
According to the reports:
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July remained essentially flat (+0.4%) compared to July 2022. They were down 3% when compared to the same 7 months of 2022. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers — bag & sack — were 89,400 short tons for the month of July, down 1.1% year-to-date. The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 78.0%, up 5.4 points from July 2022 and down 2.2 points year-to-date.
Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 25% in July compared to July 2022. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 32% in July compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (-0.2%) when compared to June 2023. U.S. shipments decreased in all 3 major P-W grades (UFS, CFS and MECH) when compared to July last year, with uncoated free sheet papers recording the smallest year ago decrease of approximately 14%. Net imports in all 3 major grades decreased in June compared to the same month last year. U.S. purchases in all three major grades in June decreased approximately 33% when compared to the same period last year. June year-to-date U.S. purchases decreased approximately 20% versus June 2022 year-to-date volume.
