Newsprint market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the newsprint market volume in SADC expanded from 159.6 thousand tons to 181.5 thousand tons. This growth was sharply reversed in 2020 when the market contracted to 102.7 thousand tons, a decline directly tied to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted publishing activities and accelerated a shift toward digital news consumption.

The market recovered to 142.0 thousand tons in 2021 as print audiences remained significant despite the pandemic's impact. Growth continued to 148.3 thousand tons in 2022, supported by the resilience of print advertising, which adapted through personalized campaigns tailored to South Africa's diverse linguistic groups. However, by 2023, the market volume fell to 135.5 thousand tons due to the ongoing consumer shift to online news media.

The long-term trend of digitalization continued to shape the industry, reflected in a further decline in print's share of publisher revenue by 2024. Advances in digital newspaper printing technology emerged as publishers sought new ways to engage readers and generate advertisement revenue.

Production newsprint in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC produced 57.2 K t of newsprint, which represents a 46.5% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 68.4%, averaging an annual decline of 31.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Output value reached its peak in 2017 and dropped to its lowest point in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, newsprint output in SADC was valued at 32.0 M $ US, marking a 48.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 7.5%.

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

Exports newsprint from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Exports reached their highest level in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with a 3.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, SADC exported 17.1 K t of newsprint, reflecting a 27.9% drop compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 63.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 62.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 74.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Uganda, and Kenya were the key partners for exports in kind, accounting for 44.3%, 0.8%, and 0.7% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 45.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

SADC's newsprint export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 9 557 K $ US, indicating a sharp decrease of 31.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 54.2%, averaging an annual decline of 22.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 32 333 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 57.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 55.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Uganda were the two main destinations for newsprint exports from SADC in value terms, together accounting for 23.5% of total exports.

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

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

Imports newsprint to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC imported a total of value_last_year K t of newsprint, showing a sharp decline of 36.4% year-over-year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 108.8 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 71.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Finland, and Norway were the three main markets for imports in kind of newsprint to SADC, together absorbing 53.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with a 2.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, newsprint imports to SADC stood at 35 276 K $ US, which is 47.8% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 82 214 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 94.9%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of newsprint to SADC relied on a wide range of partner countries. Russia, Finland, and Norway accounted for 35.7%, 7.3%, and 5.8% of imports, respectively, together taking just 48.7% of total flows.

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

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