The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the following First Quarter 2024 reports:
Containerboard
According to the report of AF&PA, total Containerboard production in Q1 increased 7 percent 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 percent (Q1 had one less day than Q4).
- Unbleached Kraft Liner production for export surged more than 41 percent 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 percent from Q1 2023 due to the increase in domestic production, as well as a 12.6 percent 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.
Boxboard
Total Boxboard production in Q1 decreased 2 percent compared to Q1 2023. The boxboard operating rate was 89.2 percent, up 1.3 points from the same quarter last year.
- Solid Bl. Folding – Domestic production increased three percent compared to Q1 2023.
- Solid Bleached Boxboard unmade orders were up 22 percent compared to the end of the previous quarter and decreased 14 percent compared to March 2023.
- Uncoated Recycled Boxboard production remained essentially flat (-0.3 percent) compared to Q1 2023.