Newsprint market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian newsprint market entered a period of sustained contraction from 2018, driven by the ongoing digitalization of media and a persistent shift in consumer preferences away from printed newspapers toward digital formats. This fundamental decline in demand led to falling production volumes at major state-owned and integrated pulp and paper mills, which dominated the consolidated market.

The market downturn was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which reinforced digital consumption habits and further depressed demand for physical newsprint. A major structural shift occurred in 2022 when the European Union's ban on imports of wood pulp and paper from Russia closed a key export market, forcing domestic producers to rapidly reorient sales toward alternative regions in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America amid significant logistical challenges.

Facing a shrinking core market, manufacturers increasingly diverted capacity to more resilient segments like packaging paper and cardboard. In parallel, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade initiated measures to develop a network of print media kiosks across regions, aiming to support the remaining distribution channels for paper-based press and stabilize sales avenues.

Production newsprint in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 348 K t, marking a significant 13.3% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 8.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 570 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports newsprint from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, CIS newsprint exports declined in 2020. Export volumes totaled 1 042 K t, representing a 17.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 8.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 1 264 K t, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Turkey were the key export partners for CIS newsprint in volume terms. India accounted for 41.5% of exports, China for 13.3%, and Turkey for 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 60.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Newsprint export revenues from the CIS declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 365.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp 35.4% year-over-year reduction. Over the 2017-2020 period, export revenues decreased by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 669.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 40.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, India, China, and Turkey contributed the most to CIS newsprint export revenues. India accounted for 40.3% of export value, China for 12.4%, and Turkey for 5.5%. Collectively, these three partners represented 58.2% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports newsprint to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 16 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 50 K t, representing a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 24 K t, marking a dramatic 49.7% increase compared to 2019. The largest annual decline of 68.4% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 54.5% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Sweden were the primary sources for newsprint imports to the CIS in volume terms, together accounting for 2.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Newsprint import expenditures in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 19.7 million US dollars, reflecting a 24.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import expenditures fell by 29.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 31.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Sweden, and Finland were the main sources for newsprint imports to the CIS in value terms. China accounted for 2.3% of import value, Sweden for 1.1%, and Finland for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 4.0% of total import flows.

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

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