AF&PA: September Packaging Paper Shipments Rise 2%

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reported that total packaging paper and specialty packaging shipments in September 2026 rose 2% from September 2025. Shipments for the first nine months of 2026 were up 4% year over year.

The operating rate for unbleached packaging paper reached 90.9% in September, its second-highest level of the year. Together with the shipment gains, the figure points to resilient demand and a high level of capacity utilization.

The 2% monthly increase is smaller than the 4% gain recorded over the first nine months as a whole. That distinction does not establish a longer-term slowdown, but it makes subsequent shipment reports useful for assessing whether growth is sustained.

High operating rates are also relevant to producers and buyers monitoring available capacity. If shipments continue to grow while operating rates remain elevated, the amount of capacity available to accommodate additional demand may become an important consideration. The reported figures alone do not establish an effect on prices or delivery times.