:2023-07-21 Source:AF&PA Category: Data
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2023 Packaging Papers Monthly report and 2023 Printing-Writing Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June decreased 1% compared to June 2022. They were down 4% when compared to the same 6 months of 2022. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in bleached packaging papers – food wrapping – were 24,400 short tons for the month of June, down 15.7% year-to-date. The unbleached packaging papers operating rate was 83.2%, down 7.7 points from June 2022 and down 9.8 points year-to-date.
Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 24% in June compared to June 2022. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 29% in June compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 4% when compared to May 2023. U.S. shipments decreased in all 3 major P-W grades (UFS, CFS and MECH) when compared to June last year, with uncoated free sheet papers recording the smallest year- ago decrease of approximately 9%. Exports and imports in all 3 major grades decreased in May compared to the same month last year.
U.S. purchases in all 3 major grades in May decreased approximately 28% when compared to the same period last year. May year-to-date U.S. purchases decreased approximately 18% versus May 2022 year-to-date volume.
Picture sourceing from Metsä
