North America pulp and paper rail freight down 5% in latest week; lumber continues higher

By James McLaren, Senior Editor, PPI Pulp & Paper Week, RISI

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2012 (RISI) - North American pulp and paper railroad freight for the latest week ending Jan. 28 at 9,453 carloads was down 5.3% from a year earlier, the Assn of American Railroads reported.

Through four weeks of 2012, North American pulp and paper freight volume at 38,032 carloads was down 3.1% from the same period of 2011.

In the latest week, US pulp and paper freight declined 3.5%, Canada was down 7.8% and Mexico was 26.2% lower, AAR showed.

Weekly North American lumber and wood products freight at 5,816 carloads was up 9.4% from a year earlier and through four weeks at 21,113 carloads was 9.9% higher.

North American primary forest products freight was down 5% in the week and 0.2% higher year-to-date.