Pulp and paper rail freight up modestly in latest week

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

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29, 2011 (RISI) - Weekly pulp and paper freight on North American railroads was up 0.4% to 9,704 carloads in the period ending July 23 compared with a year ago, the Assn of American Railroads reported. Year-to-date volume at 279,550 carloads was 6.4% higher than in 2010.

US pulp and paper traffic for the week was up 1.7%, Canada was down 0.7% and Mexico dropped 40.2%.

North American lumber and wood products rail freight for the week at 5,548 carloads was up 12.6% and year-to-date at 152,330 carloads was 7.2% higher, AAR showed.

Primary forest products volume was lower by 3.2% and 6.2% respectively.