Newsprint market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek newsprint market volume contracted consistently from 84 838 tons in 2018 to 63 532 tons in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by the structural shift away from print media, as the digital transition and changing consumer behavior reduced demand for printed newspapers and magazines, the main end-users of newsprint. The trend was evident from 2018, when a significant drop in print sales began.

The downward movement accelerated in 2020, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which further disrupted print media consumption habits. Market volume saw a temporary rebound to 70 672 tons in 2022, but official reports indicated continued falling sales of newspapers and magazines. A sharp 10% drop followed in 2023, bringing the market to 63 532 tons.

Early indicators for 2024, such as a reported 12.4% decline in newspaper sales and a 14.9% fall in magazine sales, confirm the persistence of the digital transition. The long-term reduction in print media consumption remains the dominant factor shaping the newsprint market.

Production newsprint in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

In 2020, Greece produced 44 K t of newsprint, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 44 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 0.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 9.3%.

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

Exports newsprint from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 66 t and peaked in 2019 at 278 t, representing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, Greece exported 185 t of newsprint, marking a 33.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 56.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 320.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, Syria, and Cyprus were the primary buyers of newsprint from Greece, accounting for 28.4%, 25.2%, and 18.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 71.8% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during this period. Exports in value terms bottomed in 2018 at 60 K $ US and peaked in 2019 at 186 K $ US, with a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, Greece exported 159 K $ US of newsprint, a 14.2% decrease from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 43.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 207.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel, Cyprus, and Bulgaria were the top contributors to exports in value terms, with shares of 35.0%, 17.9%, and 15.5%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 68.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Newsprint imports into Greece declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 29 823 t, an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 25.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The highest import level was in 2018 at 40 935 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 20.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, Austria, Russia, and Belgium were the main sources for newsprint imports into Greece, representing 23.0%, 16.1%, and 14.2% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they accounted for 53.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported newsprint volumes in Greece decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 17 765 K $ US, a sharp drop of 18.5% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 26.2%, or an annualized rate of 9.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 28 448 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 23.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Russia, and Belgium consistently served as the primary sources for imports in value terms, with shares of 22.5%, 15.4%, and 14.3%, respectively. Combined, they made up 52.2% of total import flows.

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

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