Newsprint market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the newsprint market in Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited considerable volatility. Market volume increased from 280.2 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 304.5 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting sharply to 204.2 thousand tons in 2020. A partial recovery followed, with the market reaching 259.1 thousand tons in 2022, then declining again to 235.1 thousand tons in 2023.

This fluctuation in market size was accompanied by significant shifts in local production and trade. Domestic production fell from 127.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 70.2 thousand tons in 2020, rebounded to 113.7 thousand tons in 2021, but decreased to 90.8 thousand tons by 2023. Imports, while remaining the primary supply source, trended downward from 219.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 145.6 thousand tons in 2023. Concurrently, export volumes collapsed from 66.1 thousand tons to just 1.3 thousand tons over the same period, effectively ceasing to be a significant outflow.

By 2024, preliminary trade data indicates the continuation of these trends, with imports edging down to 143.3 thousand tons and exports falling further to 0.5 thousand tons, underscoring the region's diminishing role in international newsprint trade.

Production newsprint in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Newsprint production in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 70.2 K t of newsprint, which represents a significant drop of 41.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 63.8%, with an average annual decline of 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of newsprint output in Sub-Saharan Africa was 39.0 M $ US, down 45.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 65.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 29.9%. The only notable increase during this period occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports newsprint from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed an unstable pattern over the years. In 2020, exported newsprint volumes from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 17.9 K t, marking a sharp decline of 29.7% from 2019. The lowest point was in 2020, while the peak was in 2018 at 66.1 K t, resulting in a 3.7-fold difference between these years. The largest decrease happened in 2019, with a drop of 61.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 70.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading buyer of newsprint from Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 42.6% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported newsprint values from Sub-Saharan Africa have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 9.9 M $ US, a steep decrease of 33.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 56.1%, with an average annual decline of 24.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 34.6 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 56.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 52.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China served as the primary market for newsprint from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, absorbing 21.1% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports newsprint to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Newsprint import volumes into Sub-Saharan Africa have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 151.9 K t, a decline of 27.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 14.4%, with an average annual decrease of 5.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 219.2 K t, and the largest increase was also in 2018, with a 23.4% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia, Norway, and Finland were the key suppliers of newsprint to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. Russia accounted for 39.1% of imports, Norway for 7.6%, and Finland for 6.9%, together making up 53.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Newsprint import values into Sub-Saharan Africa have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 87.4 M $ US, which is 38.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 165.0 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 51.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Finland, and Norway played significant but not dominant roles as suppliers of newsprint to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Russia held 35.6% of imports, Finland 7.2%, and Norway 7.1%, with their combined share reaching 49.9% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020