Jan. 17, 2026 - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the December 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 2% compared to December 2024. They were up 1% when compared to the same 12 months of 2024.
The bleached operating rate increased slightly from November to 74.5% but remained below the year-to-date rate of 75.1%. Capacity was down 2.6% for the year.
Unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 2.6% from last December, and down 2.2% year to date.
Total inventories were up 6% from the same month last year.
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.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.
The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry's decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.
SOURCE: AF&PA
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