The American Forest & Paper Association / AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) released its January 2019 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report on February 21.

Total Packaging Papers shipments were up 4.5%  from January 2018. Bag & Sack shipments were down 2.5% month-over-month; Multiwall shipments were up 12%; Converting shipments were up 12.2%; and Food Wrapping shipments were up 2.4%. The operating rate for January increased to 92.5% compared to 87.0% in December 2018. Inventories decreased 2.4% since December and were 1.3% lower than the same month last year.

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