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AF&PA Releases May 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

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

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in May increased 12% compared to May 2025. They were up 6% when compared to the same 5 months of 2025.

  • The unbleached packaging papers operating rate declined to 89% in May after nearly hitting 93% in April.
  • Shipments of bleached food wrapping were up 5.6% from last May, and up 3.4% year-to-date.
  • Total inventories increased for the first time since January and were down 6.8% from May 2025.

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