Feb corrugated sales down

n February industry shipments of corrugated products fell 1 percent on both an actual and an average week basis, the Fibre Box Association reports. There were 20 shipping days last month and in February 2004. Year-to-date shipments increased 0.2 percent. See chart on this page for more details.

In February the North Central was the only region that had an increase in shipments, up 0.2 percent. All other regions had drops, with the Northeast down the most (-2.9 percent).

On a year-to-date basis, the West fared best with shipments up 1.1 percent. The Northeast again fared worst, down 1.4 percent.

February’s containerboard consumption in tons increased 0.9 percent over February 2004’s numbers, while year-to-date it increased 1.3 percent.

Containerboard inventory in corrugator plants rose just 0.1 percent between the end of January and the end of February. However, weeks of supply rose 10.5 percent, from 3.8 to 4.2, an indication that box business was slow last month