How did U.S. packaging paper shipments perform in August 2026?

Total packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments increased 4% compared with August 2025. Shipments for the first eight months of 2026 were also 5% higher than during the corresponding period of 2025.

Did unbleached bag and sack shipments reach a record in August?

Yes. Unbleached bag and sack shipments reached nearly 119,000 short tons in August, establishing a new monthly record. Shipments for the year to date were 8.4% higher than the comparable period.

What happened to U.S. printing-writing paper shipments?

Printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7% year over year in August 2026, while inventories increased 1% from July. The decline contrasts with stronger packaging paper shipment performance during the month.

AF&PA: Packaging Paper Shipments Rise, Printing-Writing Demand Falls in August

Paper Recycling | 2026-09-23 20:59:08

U.S. paper markets moved in opposite directions in August 2026, with packaging paper shipments rising 4% year over year while printing-writing paper shipments fell 7%, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.

By Paul Ploumis

AF&PA: Packaging Paper Shipments Rise, Printing-Writing Demand Falls in August

Summary

Packaging Paper Shipments Continue to Grow
U.S. packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments increased 4% year over year in August, with January-August shipments up 5%. Unbleached bag and sack shipments reached a monthly record of nearly 119,000 short tons.
Packaging Operating Rates and Inventories Remain Elevated
The operating rate for bleached packaging papers reached 91.1%, marking the third time this year it has exceeded 90%. August packaging paper inventories were 1% higher than a year earlier and reached their highest level in 13 months.
Printing-Writing Paper Demand Weakens Despite Higher Imports
Printing-writing paper shipments declined 7% year over year in August, while inventories rose 1% from July. Meanwhile, July net imports of UFS, CFS and mechanical paper increased 26% year over year, led by gains of 38% in UFS and 51% in CFS.

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): U.S. paper markets moved in sharply different directions in August 2026, with packaging paper shipments posting another year-over-year gain while printing-writing paper shipments continued to weaken, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).

Total packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments increased 4% from August 2025. Through the first eight months of 2026, shipments were 5% above the corresponding period last year.

SCRAPMONSTER EDGE

The August gap between the two major paper segments reached 11 percentage points. Packaging paper shipments were up 4% year over year, while printing-writing paper shipments were down 7%, underscoring the different demand conditions facing packaging and communication-paper markets.

Packaging Paper Shipments Continue to Grow

Unbleached bag and sack shipments reached a new monthly record of nearly 119,000 short tons. Year-to-date shipments were up 8.4%, AF&PA reported.

The operating rate for bleached packaging papers reached 91.1% during August. It marked the third month this year in which the operating rate exceeded 90%.

Packaging paper inventories also remained elevated. August inventories were 1% higher than a year earlier and reached their highest level in 13 months.

Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Fall 7%

The printing-writing segment moved in the opposite direction. Total U.S. printing-writing paper shipments declined 7% in August compared with the same month of 2025.

Inventories increased 1% from July.

Printing-Writing Paper Imports Rise

Separate U.S. Census Bureau trade data for July showed a modest year-over-year increase in U.S. printing-writing paper purchases.

Combined net imports of uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS) and mechanical paper increased 26% from July 2025.

UFS net imports rose 38%, while CFS imports increased 51%. Mechanical paper imports were up 13% year over year, according to data cited by AF&PA.

Market Read

The latest figures point to continued strength in packaging-related paper demand alongside softer printing-writing paper shipments. At the same time, higher printing-writing paper imports and rising inventories indicate that domestic shipment trends alone do not capture the full supply picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did U.S. packaging paper shipments perform in August 2026?
Total packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments increased 4% compared with August 2025. Shipments for the first eight months of 2026 were also 5% higher than during the corresponding period of 2025.
Did unbleached bag and sack shipments reach a record in August?
Yes. Unbleached bag and sack shipments reached nearly 119,000 short tons in August, establishing a new monthly record. Shipments for the year to date were 8.4% higher than the comparable period.
What happened to U.S. printing-writing paper shipments?
Printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7% year over year in August 2026, while inventories increased 1% from July. The decline contrasts with stronger packaging paper shipment performance during the month.