Newsprint market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The newsprint market in Northern Europe experienced considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023, with overall volume declining from 1.94 million tonnes to 1.17 million tonnes. After a temporary increase to 2.2 million tonnes in 2019, the market contracted sharply in 2020 and continued to shrink through 2023. This long-term downtrend was primarily driven by the accelerated digitalization of media, which diverted advertising revenue and readership away from print newspapers.

A key structural shift saw digital platforms like Facebook and Google capture a growing share of advertising spending, reducing the financial resources available for print editions. In Norway, paper newspaper readership fell by over 5% annually, while publishers raised cover prices by up to 40% in two years to offset declining revenue. These pressures decreased demand for newsprint and prompted publishers to focus more on digital subscriptions, although print still accounted for the majority of newspaper income as of 2018.

Production newsprint in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in Northern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,896 thousand tonnes of newsprint, marking a significant 24.2% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of newsprint output in Northern Europe was $1,070 million US, down 40.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 28.2%, averaging a 10.5% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $1,783 million US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%.

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

Exports newsprint from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Newsprint exports from Northern Europe have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 888 thousand tonnes, a 12.3% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 1,444 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the steepest decline of 29.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, newsprint exports from Northern Europe were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 23.5% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 7.2%, and China for 5.7%. Together, these three countries made up just 36.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of newsprint from Northern Europe have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled $501.3 million US, a 30.5% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 27.9%, with a CAGR of -10.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $804.6 million US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for newsprint exports in value terms was broad. Germany contributed 24.1% of export value, the Netherlands 7.4%, and the United States 5.9%. Combined, these three countries represented only 37.3% of total flows, while the remaining 62.7% was distributed among many other nations.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Newsprint imports into Northern Europe have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 528 thousand tonnes, a sharp 26.2% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 16.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Norway was the largest contributor to newsprint imports in kind, accounting for 41.0%, followed by Canada at 17.9% and Belgium at 5.4%. Together, these three countries made up 64.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of newsprint into Northern Europe have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled $254.2 million US, a steep 37.0% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value declined by 42.4%, with a CAGR of -16.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway led the structure of newsprint imports in value terms with 40.5%, followed by Canada at 18.1% and Belgium at 3.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.6% of total import flows.

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

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