Newsprint market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian newsprint market entered a period of sustained decline from 2018, with production falling from 1.53 million tons to 1.31 million tons by 2020. This downward trend was primarily driven by the ongoing shift from print to digital media, reducing demand for traditional newspapers. The pandemic in 2020 accelerated this decline as COVID-19 lockdowns and changing consumer behavior further depressed print media consumption. During this period, producers began focusing more on export markets, such as India and China, to offset weak domestic sales.

Sanctions imposed by the European Union in 2022 prohibited imports of wood pulp and paper from Russia, forcing domestic mills to rely more on the home market. Simultaneously, the cutoff of key production components, including bleaching chemicals and machinery parts, constrained manufacturing capacity. These pressures contributed to a continued drop in newsprint output, which fell to 1.08 million tons in 2022. At the same time, consumer preferences shifted toward disposable paper products like towels and tissues, prompting mills to allocate resources to more profitable segments like packaging and hygiene papers.

The structural decline persisted through 2023–2025, with production sliding to 764 000 tons by 2025. Market volume followed a similar downward path, though it saw a temporary uptick in 2024 as reduced exports kept more supply inside Russia. Throughout the period, producers adapted to sanctions and changing demand by diversifying into packaging materials, while the core newsprint segment kept contracting due to the irreversible digital transition.

Production newsprint in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia maintained the fourth position globally in newsprint production volume.

Top producers of newsprint, 2018-2021

World map of production of newsprint, 2018-2021

Russia's newsprint production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 1 148 K t, which is 12.5% lower than in 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 24.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports newsprint from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's newsprint export volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 917 K t, marking a significant drop of 12.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 21.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 246 K t, with the largest increase that year of 7.1%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, at 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, India, China, and Turkey were the leading destinations for Russia's newsprint exports in volume terms. India accounted for 39.0% of exports, China for 20.2%, and Turkey for 4.5%, together representing 63.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Russia's newsprint exports in value terms increased in 2021. Exports reached 402.4 M $ US, showing a strong gain of 13.0% compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 38.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 15.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 356.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, India, China, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for Russia's newsprint exports in value terms. India held 37.6% of exports, China 18.9%, and Turkey 4.6%, together accounting for 61.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports newsprint to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

The market for newsprint imports into Russia experienced notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 13.2 times. In 2021, imports reached 3 K t, representing a dramatic loss of 77.5% compared to the prior year. The maximum volume was in 2020 at 11 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 286.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus remained the primary source for newsprint imports into Russia, accounting for 89.7% of total imports in volume terms, with the remaining volume distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The market for newsprint imports into Russia showed volatility over the observed period. Imports varied from a low in 2018 to a high in 2020, with an 8-fold difference. In 2021, imports totaled 1.2 M $ US, indicating a loss of 71.4% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 4.1 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 197.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018-2021, imports of newsprint into Russia in value terms were largely concentrated on Belarus, which accounted for 84.6% of total flows, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021