Newsprint market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The newsprint market in Algeria reached 40 246 t in 2019, up from 31 900 t the previous year, within a context of near-total reliance on imported paper. The COVID-19 pandemic then acted as a turning point for the print media industry, causing a sharp drop in circulation and press runs that contributed to a contraction in newsprint consumption to 25 069 t in 2020.

Market size fell further to 17 396 t in 2021, influenced by restrictions on imports of finished goods and policies encouraging domestic production, which constrained supply. A recovery followed, with consumption rising to 22 156 t in 2022 and 26 085 t in 2023, even as high inflation and a persistent black market for currency increased production costs and affected import competitiveness. During this period, the broader paper and wood industry remained in slight decline.

Structural shifts in the media sector, including declining print distribution points and strong competition from free online information, continued to pressure newsprint demand. Global factors such as paper mill closures in Europe and rising raw material prices increased import costs, while Algeria's domestic production covered only a minimal share of total paper needs.

Production newsprint in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Algeria's newsprint production remained broadly stable in 2020, with output reaching 2 000 tonnes. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports newsprint from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 0.5 tonnes, marking a 99.6% decline. The following year saw a dramatic turnaround, with exports surging to 63 tonnes in 2019 - a remarkable 13 149.8% increase compared to 2018. The peak export volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 238-fold difference between the high and low points.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Mauritania dominated Algeria's newsprint exports, together accounting for 99.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable fluctuation throughout the observed period. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 2 000 US dollars, representing an 89.6% decline. The following year brought a substantial recovery, with export values climbing to 95 000 US dollars in 2019 - a 4 900.2% increase year-over-year. The market experienced a 50-fold difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Mauritania was the primary destination for Algeria's newsprint exports in value terms, absorbing 82.5% of total export value, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports newsprint to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

Algeria's newsprint imports showed a declining trend from 2017 to 2020, decreasing by 43.3% overall with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 28.1%. In 2020, imports amounted to 23 069 tonnes, representing a significant 39.8% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Slovenia, and Sweden were the main sources of Algeria's newsprint imports, together accounting for 71.8% of total import volume. Spain led with 51.8%, followed by Slovenia at 11.9%, and Sweden at 8.0%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Algeria's newsprint import values declined by 51.5% between 2017 and 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 22 117 000 US dollars, representing a 23.2% increase. In 2020, imports dropped to 10 456 000 US dollars, marking a 52.7% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Slovenia, and France formed the core of Algeria's newsprint imports in value terms, collectively representing 74.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020