Newsprint market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the newsprint market in Eastern Asia experienced a steady contraction, with volume falling from 5 558 thousand tons to 3 317 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by the ongoing reduction in newspaper print runs and the increasing number of newspaper closures, as the industry accelerated its shift toward digital platforms. The number of major domestic newsprint producers dwindled to just four, including Huatai Paper and Guangzhou Paper Group, reflecting the market's consolidation in the face of falling demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated the downturn by depressing demand as some newspapers reduced editions or halted publication. Concurrently, rising raw material costs and stricter environmental policies increased production expenses. Import patterns shifted, with sources diversifying away from Russia toward Canada and Australia, while global supply chain disruptions and higher freight costs, partly due to the Red Sea events, made imported newsprint more expensive, widening the price gap with domestic products.

Despite fluctuations in import volumes, the overall market size continued to shrink each year. The industry's structural decline was evident in falling consumption by major newspaper groups and consistent reports of print edition reductions. While domestic production capacity stabilized in some years, the fundamental driver remained the irreversible transition of the publishing industry away from print media.

Production newsprint in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3,731 thousand tonnes of newsprint, marking a 19.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 40.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 15.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Newsprint production in Eastern Asia has seen a decline for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,033 million US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 28.2% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 56.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports newsprint from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Newsprint exports from Eastern Asia have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 105.9 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 47.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 72%, with an average annual decline of 34.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 446.6 thousand tonnes. In 2019, exports saw the largest decline of 54.5%, while in 2018, they increased by 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, newsprint exports from Eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. India accounted for 33.9% of exports, the Philippines for 6.9%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 6.5%. Together, these three markets made up only 47.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Newsprint exports from Eastern Asia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 57.7 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp fall of 53.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 79.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -41.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 299.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 58.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.7%.

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

The structure of newsprint exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. India accounted for 33.9% of exports, the Philippines for 6.8%, and Bangladesh for 6.3%. Combined, these three countries represented only 47.0% of total flows, with the remaining 53.0% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, newsprint imports into Eastern Asia reached 669.0 thousand tonnes, showing an abrupt uptick of 32.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 80.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 4.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for newsprint imports into Eastern Asia were Russia, accounting for 22.7% of imports, Canada at 20.1%, and Sweden at 12.3%. Together, these three countries made up 55.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Newsprint imports into Eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 291.9 million US dollars, reflecting a limited decrease of 4.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 393.8 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 22.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 53.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the leading source for newsprint imports in value terms, accounting for 21.9%, followed by Canada at 20.2%, and Sweden at 12.5%. These three markets together represented 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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