The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the September 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in September increased 2% compared to September 2025. They were up 4% when compared to the same 9 months of 2025.

The unbleached packaging papers operating rate was 90.9% in September, the 2nd highest so far this year and the 3rd month it was above 90% in 2026.

Bleached food wrapping shipments were up 1.9% from last September, and up 3.3% year-to-date.

Total imports of packaging papers were up nearly 10% year-to-date, with unbleached bag, sack & multiwall up 24.2%. Imports of these papers from Canada were up nearly 30% year-to-date, while imports from all other destinations were down 3.4%.

A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or at 202-463-4716.

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. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry's decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.

Source: AF&PA