Washington, D.C. – The American Forest & Paper Association released its December 2018 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly report on January 16, 2019.

Total Packaging Papers shipments were down 7.9 percent from December 2017 but up 1.8 percent year-to-date. Bag and Sack shipments were up 4.4 percent year-to-date; Multiwall shipments were down 1.4 percent; Converting shipments were up 0.5 percent; and Food Wrapping shipments were up 1.9 percent. The operating rate for December dropped to 87.0 percent compared to 89.5 percent in November. Inventories increased 2.2 percent since November and were 4.9 percent higher than the same month last year.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting [email protected].