AF&PA releases May production statistics

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., has released its May 2014 production figures for containerboard and kraft paper. According to the association, containerboard production increased 7.7 percent from April’s production total and was essentially flat compared to the same month last year.

The AF&PA also reports that the month-over-month average daily containerboard production increased by 4.2 percent. Shipments for May were 2,957.6 thousand tons, representing 167.6 billion square feet. The containerboard operating rate for May stands at 96.9 percent of capacity, compared to the prior month’s operating rate of 94.7 percent of capacity.

For kraft paper, the AF&PA reports that total kraft paper shipments for May dropped 3.4 percent to 128.9 thousand tons from the prior month. Bleached kraft paper shipments dropped from 11.8 thousand tons in April to 9.4 thousand tons in May, while unbleached kraft paper shipments decreased from 121.7 thousand tons to 119.5.

Overall, kraft paper shipments for the first five months of the year was 1.4 percent lower than the same period last year. Total month-end inventories increased 6.4 percent compared to April.

To order a copy of the full report, contact Caroline Nealon at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-2448.