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August 19, 2026
Press Release

AF&PA Releases July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. 

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased 1% compared to July 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 7 months of 2025.

  • The unbleached packaging papers operating rate increased to 87.5% in July, up from 85.7% in June, but below the rates seen between February and May this year. The year-to-date operating rate was 5.1 points higher than last year.
  • Shipments of bleached food wrapping were down 3.6% from last July, but up 2.7% year-to-date.
  • Total July 2026 inventories were down 4.9% compared to last July, though they did increase to their highest level since February.

A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or at 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. 

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