Pulp and paper rail freight notches up in latest week in North America

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

SAN FRANCISCO, July 26, 2010 (RISI) - Pulp and paper freight on North American railroads at 9,539 carloads was 1.5% higher than last year for the latest week ending July 17, according to the Assn of American railroads. Year-to-date for 28 weeks of 2010, pulp and paper volume at 252,965 carloads was off 2.1% from the same period of 2009.

US pulp and paper freight was off 0.6% for the week and 2.6% lower year-to-date, while weekly Canadian volume was 5.1% higher and year-to-date was off 0.7%, AAR showed. Mexican volumes were 11.8% higher in the week and 40.3% lower year-to-date.

North American lumber and wood products freight for the week ending July 17 at 4,895 carloads was 13.7% higher, and through 28 weeks at 134,986 carloads was up 10.2% from 2009.

Primary forest products was unchanged in the latest week and 10.2% higher year-to-date.

Total North American rail freight for the week was up 8% from 2009 and year-to-date was 10.3% higher to 10.28 million carloads.