Newsprint market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The newsprint market in Bangladesh opened the period at 69 986 t in 2018, supported by the presence of state-owned pulp mills and private investments in the paper industry, alongside a high number of registered newspapers. However, market volume then contracted sharply over the next two years, falling to 40 128 t by 2020.

The decline continued into 2021, with consumption reaching 36 295 t, even as a survey indicated 29.2 million newspaper readers in the country. A rebound occurred in 2022, when the market expanded by 34% to 48 669 t, driven by an increase in the number of paper mills and growing production capacity. In 2023, the market shrank again to 43 932 t, coinciding with a reported drop in newspaper readership to 18.6 million.

Production newsprint in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bangladesh produced 20 000 tonnes of newsprint, showing little change compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Bangladesh's newsprint output was valued at 10 796 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 102 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 12 235 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports newsprint from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes from Bangladesh reached their lowest point in 2020 at 138 tonnes, representing a 67.4% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 629 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 93.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3 989.2%. Import levels fluctuated 48-fold between the high of 2018 and the low of 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Tanzania formed the core group of markets for Bangladesh's newsprint exports in kind. China accounted for 66.6% of exports, India for 8.3%, and Tanzania for 6.3%, together representing 81.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values from Bangladesh reached their maximum in 2018 and dropped to a minimum in 2020, representing a 55-fold shift. In 2020, Bangladesh exported 74 thousand US dollars of newsprint, down 65.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 055 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 94.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 4 260.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Tanzania remained the principal buyers of newsprint from Bangladesh in value terms. China accounted for 64.6% of exports, India for 8.2%, and Tanzania for 6.0%, jointly representing 78.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

Newsprint imports to Bangladesh declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 20 266 tonnes of newsprint, showing a sharp decline of 38.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 62.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 28.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 56 615 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Russia, and Sweden played the leading roles in newsprint imports to Bangladesh in kind. South Korea accounted for 63.1% of imports, Russia for 5.9%, and Sweden for 5.2%, together representing 74.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Newsprint shipments to Bangladesh from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 8 408 thousand US dollars of newsprint, down 50.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 40 705 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 58.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 38.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Sweden, and Singapore formed the key group of partners for newsprint imports to Bangladesh in value terms. South Korea accounted for 67.0% of imports, Sweden for 4.5%, and Singapore for 4.3%, jointly representing 75.7% of total flows.

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

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