Total containerboard inventories (combining box plants and mills) fell 7.6 percent between the end of September and the end of October, the American Forest & Paper Association says. Specifically, they fell from 2,371,800 tons at the end of September to 2,192,700 tons at the end of October. Compare October’s total inventory numbers with Oct. 2006 and the drop is even steeper: down 11.9 percent. This is solid evidence that board mill discipline remains in place and demand for boxes remains stable.

Mill linerboard inventories during this period rose 2 percent while mill medium inventories slid 9.1 percent. Total containerboard inventories at mills fell 0.7 percent. Containerboard inventories at box plants tumbled 8.4 percent.

Total recovered paper stock inventories rose 10.4 percent during this period to 1,027,400 tons, a rise that reflects strong containerboard demand.