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AF&PA Releases Q1 2024 Containerboard Quarterly Report

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its Q1 2024 Containerboard Quarterly report.

According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q1 increased 7% compared to Q1 2023.

  • Operating rates for all major grades except Semichemical Medium increased compared to Q4 2023 while total production was down 0.7% (Q1 had 1 less day than Q4).
  • Unbleached Kraft Liner production for export surged more than 41% over its year-ago levels. The Q1 2024 export total was higher than any quarter in 2023.
  • Despite the significant increase in exports, domestic new supply was up 3.7% from Q1 2023 due to the increase in domestic production, as well as a 12.6% increase in imports of containerboard. New supply declined slightly from Q4.
  • Mill inventories ended the quarter at 429,400 short tons, lower than at the end of 2023, but higher than any other month last year.

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.

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