Newsprint market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The newsprint market in Australia and New Zealand experienced a substantial contraction between 2018 and 2023, with domestic production falling from 468 thousand tonnes to 107 thousand tonnes. Market size, representing apparent consumption, declined even more sharply from 346 thousand tonnes to 84 thousand tonnes over the same period. In 2022, a 15% increase in global wood pulp prices raised production costs for manufacturers, contributing to the year's significant drop in output.

Trade flows adjusted to the shrinking domestic industry. Imports initially rose, peaking at 79 thousand tonnes in 2022, as local production capacity diminished. Exports, once a major outlet, fell from 158 thousand tonnes in 2018 but began to recover from 2023 onward. Global market dynamics, including tight supply conditions among North American producers, influenced these import and export patterns.

The industry's evolution was shaped by broader secular trends, including the publishing sector's shift toward hybrid digital-print models. This spurred demand for newsprint with higher recycled content, aligning with global investments in sustainable fiber usage and advanced production technologies aimed at improving environmental profiles.

Production newsprint in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2018-2021

World map of production of newsprint, 2018-2021

Newsprint production in Australia and New Zealand has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, output reached 217.4 K t, representing a significant 23.5% drop compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 53.6%, with an average annual decline of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports newsprint from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Newsprint exports from Australia and New Zealand have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the region exported 33.5 K t, down 11.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports plummeted by 78.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 40.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, India, China, and Thailand were the top destinations for newsprint exports by volume. India accounted for 31.9% of exports, China for 30.6%, and Thailand for 3.4%. Together, these three countries made up 65.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. The highest value was recorded in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.3 times. In 2021, newsprint exports from Australia and New Zealand reached 20 610 K $ US, marking a substantial 16.8% increase compared to 2020. The minimum value was 17 652 K $ US in 2020, and the largest decline of 72.5% was also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, India, China, and Thailand remained the key destinations for newsprint exports by value. India represented 32.9% of exports, China 29.4%, and Thailand 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 65.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports newsprint to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes bottomed out in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 5.2 times. In 2021, newsprint imports into Australia and New Zealand amounted to 71.1 K t, a 37.6% increase compared to 2020. The minimum volume was 13.8 K t in 2019, which saw the largest decline of 61.3%. The largest increase of 275.9% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, there was no single dominant source for newsprint imports by volume. Canada accounted for 16.6% of imports, Finland for 10.5%, and Sweden for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 33.4% of total imports, with the remaining 66.6% spread across many smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market saw noticeable fluctuations over this timeframe. Import values varied 3.1 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020. In 2021, newsprint imports into Australia and New Zealand were recorded at 53 040 K $ US, showing a solid 10.8% year-on-year decline. The maximum value was 59 434 K $ US in 2020, which also experienced the largest increase of 169.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The import market by value was broad from 2018 to 2021. Canada accounted for 16.3% of imports, Finland for 9.9%, and Sweden for 6.3%. Together, these three countries made up only 32.5% of total flows, with the remaining 67.5% distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021