AF&PA: Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Posted Decline in February

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Washington-based The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) published its February 2024 Packaging Papers and Printing-Writing Monthly report.

During the month, the total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments recorded an increase by 5% when compared with the same month a year before. The cumulative shipment during the initial two-month period remained essentially flat over the two-month period in 2023.

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The operating rate for unbleached packaging papers stood at 90.2%, up by 3.7% year-on-year. The year-to-date operating rate recorded decline by 1.2%. The shipments of food wrapping totalled 24,200 short tons in February this year, down by 1.9% from February 2023. The year-to-date shipments were down by 3%.

According to AF&PA, the total printing-writing paper shipments declined marginally by 1% in February compared to February 2023. The country’s purchases of total printing-writing papers remained essentially flat during the month, compared with the previous year. The total printing-writing paper inventory levels registered decline by 1% when compared with the prior month.

The shipments of uncoated free sheets remained flat in February 2024. The coated free sheet shipments were up by 5%, whereas mechanical paper shipments tumbled by 17%.