The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the February 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February increased 4% compared to February 2025. They were up 1% when compared to the same 2 months of 2025.
The unbleached packaging papers operating rate was 83.9%, up 4 points from February 2025 and up 2.3 points year-to-date.
Bleached food wrapping shipments were down 1.5% from last February.
Total inventories were up 7% from the same month last year.
About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states.
