Forest products forecasts

In 2026, the North American wood products industry enters a year of cautious stabilization.

This Fastmarkets Viewpoint explains how headline growth has been buoyed by AI‑driven investment even as the broader goods economy cools, and why truly disposable income and packaging demand move in lockstep.

International Paper (IP) will increase its North American containerboard prices by $70 per ton, effective March 1. This follows a similar announcement from Packaging Corp of America (PCA) on January 23.

Packaging Corp of America (PCA) is set to raise linerboard and corrugating medium prices by $70 per ton starting March 1, marking the first containerboard price increase in 13 months.

In today’s market, effective food and beverage procurement is critical for profitability. However, many procurement teams face challenges due to fragmented data, where packaging and ingredient costs are managed in separate silos. This disconnect creates a massive blind spot, making it difficult to challenge supplier price hikes or accurately model total product costs.

US recovered fiber prices and demand remained stable through January as buyers fortified inventories ahead of a projected February generation drop. Leading containerboard producers report healthy to heavy raw material levels, especially for old corrugated containers (OCC), ensuring optimal supply despite anticipated seasonal shifts.