Washington, D.C. – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released its December 2019 Containerboard Monthly Report. 

Total containerboard production in December increased two percent compared to December 2018 and was down four percent when compared to the same 12 months of 2018.

• December 2019 production of containerboard for export increased 11 percent compared to the same month last year; it was down 13 percent year-to-date.
   
• The containerboard operating rate was 94.4 percent, up 0.6 points from December 2018 and down 4.8 points year-to-date.
   
• Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of December increased 3,000 short tons from the previous month and were essentially flat (+1,964 short tons) compared to December 2018.

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.