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

Total Packaging Papers shipments were down 1.2 percent from March 2018 and essentially flat year-to-date. Bag & Sack shipments were down 1.0 percent year-to-date; Multiwall shipments were up 1.7 percent; Food Wrapping shipments were up 1.5 percent; and Converting shipments were down 2.2 percent. The operating rate for March increased to 90.5 percent compared to 89.5 percent in February. Inventories decreased 3.5 percent from February and were 8.0 percent lower than the same month last year.

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