Newsprint market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Western European newsprint market contracted by over 30% to 2.4 million tons, driven by a structural decline in demand from the digitization of publishing. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this trend, leading to an almost 20% reduction in newsprint production capacity as manufacturers converted machines to focus on the more promising packaging paper segment.

After a brief 4% rebound to 2.5 million tons in 2021, amid industry-wide price increases due to pulp shortages and high energy costs, the market resumed its decline in 2022. This was exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which caused severe energy cost inflation and supply chain disruptions, while the ongoing digital transformation in media continued to erode long-term demand.

The market collapsed to 1.3 million tons in 2023, a 43% drop from the previous year, as the industry shifted decisively towards packaging and sustainable solutions. However, 2024 saw the first demand growth for newsprint and printing paper since 2010, rising by 5.2%, even as the sole French producer Norske Skog prepared to reduce capacity by converting a machine to cardboard production.

Production newsprint in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of newsprint, 2017-2020

World map of production of newsprint, 2017-2020

Western Europe's newsprint production has been declining for three straight years. In 2020, the region produced 2 725 K t of newsprint, marking a significant 15.6% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 11.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Newsprint production in Western Europe decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 464 M $ US, showing a sharp 38.2% decline compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 43.7%, averaging a 17.4% annual reduction. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 755 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 6.0%.

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

Exports newsprint from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of newsprint from Western Europe fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 1 469 K t, down by 0.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.7%, averaging a 5.5% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, newsprint from Western Europe was exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Italy, Czechia, and Spain—combined accounted for only 27.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Newsprint exports from Western Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 789 M $ US, reflecting a 27.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 32.3%, with an average annual rate of 12.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 167 M $ US, while the largest increase that year was 0.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export partner portfolio for newsprint from Western Europe in value terms was quite diverse. Italy, Spain, and Switzerland together made up only 28.1% of total flows, with Italy contributing 20.7%, Spain 3.7%, and Switzerland 3.7%.

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

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

Imports newsprint to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Newsprint imports into Western Europe dropped for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported about 1 116 K t of newsprint, a 9.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 20.3%, averaging a 7.3% annual reduction.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland were among the largest suppliers of newsprint to Western Europe in volume terms. However, together they represented just 35.2% of total imports, with Sweden at 13.9%, Switzerland at 12.1%, and Finland at 9.2%, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's newsprint imports decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 639 M $ US, down by 29.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 30.5%, averaging an 11.4% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 006 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 9.4%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, imports of newsprint into Western Europe in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland together accounted for only 35.6% of total flows, with Sweden at 14.2%, Switzerland at 12.1%, and Finland at 9.3%.

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

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