Weekly North American pulp and paper rail freight up 1.9% from year ago

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

SAN FRANCISCO, July 8, 2011 (RISI) - North American pulp and paper railroad freight was 1.9% higher in the week ending July 2 to 10,142 carloads, the Assn of American Railroads reported. Through 26 weeks of 2011, pulp and paper volume at 250,582 carloads was 7% higher than in 2010.

Year-to-date shipments in the US were up 7.5%, Canada was 5.9% higher and Mexico up 53.7%, AAR showed.

North American lumber and wood products freight for the week ending July 2 was 8.2% higher to 5,086 carloads and year-to-date was up 6.7% to 136,314 carloads.

Primary forest products volumes were down 13% and 6.5% respectively.

Total North American rail freight was up 1.8% in the week and 2.7% higher year-to-date, AAR showed.