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AF&PA Releases Q1 2023 Containerboard Quarterly Report

CONTACT: Tim Ebner / Clara Cozort
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its Q1 2023 Containerboard Quarterly report.

According to the report, total Containerboard production in the first quarter of 2023 decreased 10% when compared to Q1 2022.

  • All containerboard grades experienced operating rate increases relative to Q4 2022.
  • Liner grades had a combined quarterly operating rate of 83.5%, up from 78.7%, while Medium grades were at 90.9%, up from 86.1%.
  • Export production in Q1 was 22.9% higher than the previous quarter, but trailed Q1 2022 production by 23.5%.
  • Mill inventories dropped below 400,000 short tons for the first time since September 2021.

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.

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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