The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has published the December 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 2% compared to December 2024. They were up 1% when compared to the same 12 months of 2024.

-- The bleached operating rate increased slightly from November to 74.5% but remained below the year-to-date rate of 75.1%. Capacity was down 2.6% for the year.
-- Unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 2.6% from last December, and down 2.2% year‑to‑date.
Total inventories were up 6% 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. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually.
  
Source: AF&PA