The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the March 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March increased 1% compared to March 2024. They were down 1% when compared to the same 3 months of 2024.

The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 74.8%, essentially flat (+0.5 pts.) from March 2024 and essentially flat (-0.2 pts.) year-to-date.

Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers — bag & sack — were 113,400 short tons for the month of March, essentially flat (-0.4%) from the same month last year, and down 3.2% year-to-date.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716.

Source: AF&PA