Newsprint market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean newsprint market experienced a significant contraction in both volume and value between 2018 and 2023. This decline was primarily driven by the domestic printing industry's ongoing digital transformation, marked by the adoption of automation and a shift towards digital printing equipment suited for small-batch production. Concurrently, the growth of commercial printing in areas like packaging and signage, which often utilizes other materials, reduced reliance on traditional newsprint. This structural change away from paper-based print media was a key factor behind the falling production and market size.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this trend as demand for personalized print and physical books declined sharply, while consumption of online and digital content surged. In the following years, the recovery in the publishing sector was characterized by a continued focus on digital publishing, including e-books, rather than a return to large-scale physical newsprint consumption. Industry efforts remained concentrated on enhancing digital production efficiency and automation, further limiting demand growth for newsprint rolls and sheets.

From 2022 onward, the market contraction continued as the printing industry's evolution persisted. Growth in the digital printing market was fueled by demand for customization, personalization, and printing on diverse substrates like plastic and film, which do not use newsprint. Although the number of publishing and printing companies increased slightly, the expansion of digital content and the sustained industry investment in digital workflows meant that the overall demand for newsprint kept declining through 2023.

Production newsprint in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked 8th globally in newsprint production.

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

South Korea's newsprint production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 570 K t of newsprint, marking a 20.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 49.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.2%.

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

Exports newsprint from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

Newsprint exports from South Korea declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 107.9 K t of newsprint, representing a sharp 47.0% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 80%, equating to an annualized rate of -41.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (34.9% of exports in kind), China (23.9% of exports in kind), and the Philippines (6.9% of exports in kind) were the key destinations for South Korea's newsprint exports, together accounting for 65.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South Korea's newsprint exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 48.8 M $ US, down 56.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 81.7%, with an annualized rate of -43.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 288.1 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 61.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.9%.

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

Over 2017-2020, India (36.0% of exports in value terms), China (23.3% of exports in value terms), and the Philippines (7.0% of exports in value terms) were the primary buyers of South Korea's newsprint, jointly accounting for 66.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports newsprint to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea's newsprint imports stood at 0.0 K t, indicating a 303.8% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, and the maximum in 2018 at 0.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 85.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and Sweden led the list of markets for imports in kind, together accounting for 84.7% of total flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Import volumes hit a low in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 6 times. In 2020, South Korea's newsprint imports reached 0.0 M $ US, a 196.7% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, and the maximum in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 83.3%.

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

In 2017-2020, Japan (33.7% of imports in value terms), Sweden (31.0% of imports in value terms), and the United States (25.1% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 89.8% of total flows.

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

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