Aug 29, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Newsprint – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The European Union newsprint market is anticipated to experience a slight increase in performance with an expected CAGR of +1.7% in volume and +2.8% in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for newsprint in the region.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for newsprint in the European Union, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.6M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Newsprint
In 2024, consumption of newsprint increased by 19% to 3M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, consumption reached the peak volume at 5.9M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The size of the newsprint market in the European Union rose rapidly to $2.4B in 2024, with an increase of 7.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a pronounced curtailment. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $3.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
Consumption By Country
Germany (904K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of newsprint consumption, comprising approx. 30% of total volume. Moreover, newsprint consumption in Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the Netherlands (313K tons), threefold. Italy (312K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 10% share.
In Germany, newsprint consumption declined by an average annual rate of -7.4% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (-4.7% per year) and Italy (-6.6% per year).
In value terms, Germany ($772M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($220M). It was followed by Italy.
In Germany, the newsprint market declined by an average annual rate of -4.7% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the Netherlands (-3.8% per year) and Italy (-6.1% per year).
The countries with the highest levels of newsprint per capita consumption in 2024 were Austria (25 kg per person), Belgium (24 kg per person) and the Netherlands (18 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Newsprint
In 2024, production of newsprint increased by 11% to 2.5M tons for the first time since 2013, thus ending a ten-year declining trend. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 6.4M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, newsprint production expanded rapidly to $2B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $4.1B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (785K tons), Belgium (500K tons) and France (261K tons), together accounting for 63% of total production.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Newsprint
In 2024, overseas purchases of newsprint decreased by -9.7% to 1.8M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 3.8M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, newsprint imports fell rapidly to $1.3B in 2024. In general, imports recorded a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $2.5B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Germany (424K tons), distantly followed by France (274K tons), Italy (262K tons), the Netherlands (219K tons), Sweden (100K tons) and Spain (94K tons) represented the main importers of newsprint, together committing 75% of total imports. Poland (69K tons), Austria (62K tons), the Czech Republic (50K tons) and Finland (40K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Sweden (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.
In value terms, Germany ($297M), France ($207M) and Italy ($190M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together comprising 52% of total imports. The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.
Sweden, with a CAGR of +7.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.
Import Prices By Country
The import price in the European Union stood at $734 per ton in 2024, reducing by -11.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the import price increased by 53% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $832 per ton in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Spain ($882 per ton) and Finland ($770 per ton), while Sweden ($684 per ton) and Germany ($699 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Newsprint
For the eleventh year in a row, the European Union recorded decline in shipments abroad of newsprint, which decreased by -25.4% to 1.2M tons in 2024. Overall, exports faced a abrupt curtailment. The smallest decline of -2.4% was in 2016. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 4.3M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, newsprint exports reduced rapidly to $853M in 2024. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when exports increased by 41%. The level of export peaked at $2.7B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
The shipments of the three major exporters of newsprint, namely Germany, Belgium and France, represented more than half of total export. Sweden (162K tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (11%). The following exporters – Finland (47K tons) and Slovenia (45K tons) – each accounted for a 7.5% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of -3.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.
In value terms, Germany ($216M), France ($171M) and Belgium ($162M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 64% of total exports.
Among the main exporting countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of -2.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.
Export Prices By Country
The export price in the European Union stood at $685 per ton in 2024, which is down by -10.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $825 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($705 per ton) and France ($704 per ton), while Belgium ($651 per ton) and Finland ($662 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform