Newsprint market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French newsprint market contracted sharply from 361 thousand tons in 2018 to 176 thousand tons in 2019. This decline was driven by rising pulp and energy costs, which led paper companies to increase prices, alongside a broader drop in graphic paper production where newsprint output fell by 8.9%. International factors including the US-China trade war and Brexit further dampened demand during this period.

Market volume then stabilized around 170-175 thousand tons through 2020 and 2021, showing little change despite the ongoing challenges in the paper industry.

From 2022 onward, the market experienced a recovery, reaching 249 thousand tons by 2023. This turnaround occurred amid significant structural shifts: newsprint prices surged by 63% due to a supply-demand imbalance and falling production, exacerbated by Stora Enso's closure of several graphic paper mills in Europe. In France, Norske Skog Golbey remained as the sole newsprint producer and invested €250 million to convert capacity to cardboard, supported by government recovery plans. Concurrently, environmental regulations mandated a minimum of 75% recycled fiber in newsprint, and the anti-waste law enforced public procurement of recycled products. Publishers responded to a 79% cumulative price hike by reducing page counts and forming the Gramméco cooperative to better manage market volatility.

Production newsprint in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France maintained the 11th position globally in terms of newsprint production volume.

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 351.0 K t of newsprint, marking a significant drop of 33.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 54.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Newsprint production in France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output of newsprint in France was valued at 215.2 M $ US, which is 30.3% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 45.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -18.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 424.0 M $ US, with the largest increase of 7.1% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports newsprint from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's newsprint exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 346.0 K t, representing a sharp drop of 39.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 39.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -15.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 639.7 K t, with the largest increase of 11.7% also in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (34.3% of exports in kind), Italy (21.2% of exports in kind), and Spain (7.4% of exports in kind) were the largest buyers of newsprint from France, together accounting for 62.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Newsprint exports in France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 212.1 M $ US, showing a dramatic decrease of 36.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 366.8 M $ US, with the largest increase of 25.4% also in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (34.2% of exports in value terms), Italy (20.7% of exports in value terms), and Spain (7.5% of exports in value terms) together absorbed 62.4% of total exports in value terms of newsprint from France, making them the main destinations.

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

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

Imports newsprint to France

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of newsprint imports to France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 170.0 K t, constituting a strong drop of 21.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets — Belgium, Spain, and Germany — together accounted for 61.3% of total imports in kind of newsprint to France.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of newsprint imports to France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France imported 99.8 M $ US of newsprint, down by 28.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 158.8 M $ US, with the largest increase of 7.2% also in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (22.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (18.6% of imports in value terms), and Spain (17.8% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of newsprint to France, together comprising 58.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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