Pulp and paper rail volume up 8.8% in latest week in North America

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18, 2011 (RISI) - Pulp and paper rail freight in North America rose 8.8% in the latest week to 9,416 carloads, according to the Assn of American Railroads. Volume through six weeks of 2011 at 57,913 carloads was 8% higher than the same period of 2010.

US pulp and paper freight was 13.9% higher in the week, Canada was up 1.1% and Mexico rose 57.1%, AAR showed.

North American lumber and wood products freight was up 3.4% in the week to 4,696 carloads and year-to-date was 4% higher to 27,845 carloads.

Primary forest products volume was 5.7% higher in the week and 0.5% lower year-to-date.

Total North American rail freight for the week was up 4.2% and through six weeks was 4.8% ahead of last year.