Newsprint market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The newsprint market in Southern Asia contracted sharply from 1.51 million tonnes in 2018 to 565 thousand tonnes in 2020. This decline coincided with a 200% surge in packaging paper consumption in 2019, which diverted industry focus and resources away from newsprint production. The cancellation of the major global print industry event Drupa in 2020 further disrupted sectoral activities and promotion opportunities.

Market volume rebounded to 878 thousand tonnes in 2021 following the imposition of anti-dumping duties on newsprint imports from Chile and China. This regulatory protection helped shield domestic producers from cheap imports, enabling a recovery in local output as evidenced by key player Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers Ltd returning to profitability.

After the rebound, the market resumed a downward trend, reaching 697 thousand tonnes by 2023. The ban on single-use plastic from July 2022 stimulated demand for packaging grades but did not reverse the decline in newsprint consumption. Although sharply lower newsprint prices in 2023 improved newspaper profitability and election cycles supported advertising, these factors were insufficient to halt the overall contraction in market volume.

Production newsprint in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in Southern Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 454 thousand tons of newsprint, which represents a significant 47.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 62.2%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 27.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 251 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Newsprint production in Southern Asia has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 254.4 million US dollars, marking a dramatic 44.5% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 63.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.3%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 848.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 23.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 46.0% decrease.

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

Exports newsprint from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Newsprint exports from Southern Asia reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 36-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export volume stood at 0.2 thousand tons, representing a sharp 52.9% year-over-year decrease. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3,475.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 92.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (52.6% of exports in volume), Tanzania (4.9%), and New Zealand (2.4%) were the key destinations for newsprint exports from Southern Asia, collectively accounting for 60.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 42-fold shift between these years. In 2020, foreign newsprint supplies from Southern Asia reached 0.1 million US dollars, reflecting a steep 50.6% year-over-year decline. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 4.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 4,124.4%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 93.7% drop.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for newsprint exports from Southern Asia in value terms were China (60.4% of export value), Tanzania (5.6%), and Canada (3.3%), which together represented 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign newsprint supplies to Southern Asia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Asia imported {value_last_year} thousand tons of newsprint, representing a sharp 47.3% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 63.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for newsprint imports to Southern Asia in volume terms were Russia (33.0% of import volume), South Korea (19.3%), and Canada (13.0%), which collectively accounted for 65.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Newsprint imports to Southern Asia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Southern Asia imported approximately 54.6 million US dollars worth of newsprint, marking a 59.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 67.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 31.2%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 176.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Russia (33.2% of import value), South Korea (20.7%), and Canada (11.7%) remained the primary sources for newsprint imports to Southern Asia in value terms, jointly representing 65.6% of total import flows.

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

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