The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report on July 17.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 2% compared to June 2025. They were up 6% when compared to the same 6 months of 2025.

The bleached packaging papers operating rate increased to 91.3% in June, the second highest rate in the last 13 months after 93.1% in March.

Shipments of unbleached bag & sack were up nearly 15% from last June, and up 7.7% year-to-date.

Total inventories were down 4.4% compared to last June.

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.

About AF&PA
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