asian industrial packaging net sales for 2007 were $ 265 million compared with $ 180 million in 2006 . in 2005 , net sales were $ 105 million sub- sequent to international paper 2019s acquisition of a majority interest in this business in august 2005 . operating profits totaled $ 6 million in 2007 and $ 3 million in 2006 , compared with a loss of $ 4 million in consumer packaging demand and pricing for consumer packaging prod- ucts correlate closely with consumer spending and general economic activity . in addition to prices and volumes , major factors affecting the profitability of consumer packaging are raw material and energy costs , freight costs , manufacturing efficiency and product mix . consumer packaging net sales increased 12% ( 12 % ) compared with 2006 and 24% ( 24 % ) compared with 2005 . operating profits rose 15% ( 15 % ) from 2006 and 24% ( 24 % ) from 2005 levels . benefits from improved average sales price realizations ( $ 52 million ) , higher sales volumes for u.s . and european coated paperboard ( $ 9 million ) , favorable mill operations ( $ 14 million ) and contributions from international paper & sun cartonboard co. , ltd . acquired in 2006 ( $ 16 million ) , were partially offset by higher raw material and energy costs ( $ 53 million ) , an unfavorable mix of products sold ( $ 4 million ) , increased freight costs ( $ 5 million ) and other costs ( $ 3 million ) . consumer packaging in millions 2007 2006 2005 .
what was the percentage decline in the operating earnings in 2007 of $ 37 million declined from $ 41
north american consumer packaging net sales were $ 2.4 billion in both 2007 and 2006 com- pared with $ 2.2 billion in 2005 . operating earnings of $ 143 million in 2007 improved from $ 129 million in 2006 and $ 121 million in 2005 . coated paperboard sales volumes increased in 2007 compared with 2006 , particularly for folding carton board , reflecting improved demand . average sales price realizations substantially improved in 2007 for both folding carton board and cup stock . the impact of the higher sales prices combined with improved manufacturing performance at our mills more than offset the negative effects of higher wood and energy costs . foodservice sales volumes were slightly higher in 2007 than in 2006 . average sales prices were also higher reflecting the realization of price increases implemented to recover raw material cost increases . in addition , a more favorable mix of hot cups and food containers led to higher average margins . raw material costs for bleached board and polystyrene were higher than in 2006 , but these increases were partially offset by improved manufacturing costs reflecting increased productivity and reduced waste . shorewood sales volumes in 2007 declined from 2006 levels due to weak demand in the home enter- tainment , tobacco and display markets , although demand was stronger in the consumer products segment . sales margins declined from 2006 reflect- ing a less favorable mix of products sold . raw material costs were higher for bleached board , but this impact was more than offset by improved manufacturing operations and lower operating costs . charges to restructure operations also impacted 2007 results . entering 2008 , coated paperboard sales volumes are expected to be about even with the fourth quarter of 2007 , while average sales price realizations are expected to slightly improve . earnings should bene- fit from fewer planned mill maintenance outages compared with the 2007 fourth quarter . however , costs for wood , polyethylene and energy are expected to be higher . foodservice results are expected to benefit from increased sales volumes and higher sales price realizations . shorewood sales volumes for the first quarter 2008 are expected to seasonally decline , but this negative impact should be partially offset by benefits from cost improve- ments associated with prior-year restructuring actions . european consumer packaging net sales in 2007 were $ 280 million compared with $ 230 million in 2006 and $ 190 million in 2005 . sales volumes in 2007 were higher than in 2006 reflecting stronger market demand and improved productivity at our kwidzyn mill . average sales price realizations also improved in 2007 . operating earnings in 2007 of $ 37 million declined from $ 41 million in 2006 and $ 39 million in 2005 . the additional contribution from higher net sales was more than offset by higher input costs for wood , energy and freight . entering 2008 , sales volumes and prices are expected to be comparable to the fourth quarter . machine performance and sales mix are expected to improve ; however , wood costs are expected to be higher , especially in russia due to strong demand ahead of tariff increases , and energy costs are anticipated to be seasonally higher. .