The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report on July 17. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 5% compared to June 2024. They were down 2% when compared to the same six months of 2024.

The total operating rate increased 5.8 points since May and was up 1.2 points year-to-date.

Bleached and unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 9.5% compared to the first half of 2024.

Inventories were down 5.0% since May, but up 1.7% from last June.

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