Graphic Papers Market

The global graphic papers market is expected to see an upward consumption trend driven by rising demand worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to increase slightly with a CAGR of +1.0% in volume and -1.1% in value from 2022 to 2030. China leads in both consumption and production of graphic papers. Printing and writing paper constitutes the largest volume of consumption and production, with modest growth rates. Import and export data show fluctuations in volumes and prices over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for graphic papers worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 120M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of -1.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $171.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Graphic Papers

In 2022, global consumption of graphic papers fell to 111M tons, with a decrease of -3.5% on 2021 figures. In general, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume decreased by -0.1%. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume at 151M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global graphic papers market value totaled $187B in 2022, remaining constant 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). Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $199.6B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (37M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of graphic papers consumption, accounting for 33% of total volume. Moreover, graphic papers consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (12M tons), threefold. Japan (6.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6% share.

In China, graphic papers consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (-6.1% per year) and Japan (-6.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($55.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($12.9B). It was followed by Japan.

In China, the graphic papers market expanded at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-5.3% per year) and Japan (-6.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of graphic papers per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (69 kg per person), Japan (53 kg per person) and Italy (41 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of -0.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Consumption By Type

Printing and writing paper (96M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 88% of total volume. Moreover, printing and writing paper exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, newsprint (14M tons), sevenfold.

For printing and writing paper, consumption contracted by an average annual rate of -2.2% over the period from 2012-2022.

In value terms, printing and writing paper ($122.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by newsprint ($11B).

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of printing and writing paper market was relatively modest.

Production

World Production of Graphic Papers

In 2022, the amount of graphic papers produced worldwide fell to 112M tons, waning by -4.1% on the previous year's figure. In general, production recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with a decrease of less than 0.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 153M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, graphic papers production reached $130.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 12%. Global production peaked at $151.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of graphic papers production was China (38M tons), accounting for 34% of total volume. Moreover, graphic papers production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (8.2M tons), fivefold. Japan (6.7M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-8.1% per year) and Japan (-5.3% per year).

Production By Type

Printing and writing paper (97M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 88% of total volume. Moreover, printing and writing paper exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, newsprint (13M tons), sevenfold.

For printing and writing paper, production contracted by an average annual rate of -2.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

In value terms, printing and writing paper ($123B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by newsprint ($12B).

For printing and writing paper, production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Imports

World Imports of Graphic Papers

In 2022, global graphic papers imports fell modestly to 38M tons, shrinking by -4.2% against 2021 figures. In general, imports recorded a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 1.2% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 57M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, graphic papers imports surged to $43.1B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced slump. Global imports peaked at $53.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (5.1M tons) and Germany (3.5M tons) represented the key importers of graphic papersaround the world, together amounting to approx. 22% of total imports. It was distantly followed by France (2.1M tons) and the UK (2M tons), together creating an 11% share of total imports. Italy (1.6M tons), India (1.4M tons), China (1.2M tons), Belgium (1.1M tons), Poland (1.1M tons), the Netherlands (1M tons), Turkey (0.9M tons), Spain (0.9M tons) and Mexico (0.8M tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the United States ($5.3B), Germany ($3.9B) and France ($2.5B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 27% share of global imports. The UK, Italy, India, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mexico, Turkey, China and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

In terms of the main importing countries, China, with a CAGR of +2.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, printing and writing paper (32M tons) represented the major type of graphic papers, mixing up 84% of total imports. It was distantly followed by newsprint (6.1M tons), committing a 16% share of total imports.

Printing and writing paper was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of -3.4% from 2012 to 2022. newsprint (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Printing and writing paper (+5.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while newsprint saw its share reduced by -5.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, printing and writing paper ($37.9B) constitutes the largest type of graphic papers imported worldwide, comprising 89% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by newsprint ($4.7B), with an 11% share of global imports.

For printing and writing paper, imports decreased by an average annual rate of -1.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average graphic papers import price amounted to $1,128 per ton, growing by 29% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was printing and writing paper ($1,198 per ton), while the price for newsprint stood at $773 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by printing and writing paper (+1.7%).

Import Prices By Country

The average graphic papers import price stood at $1,128 per ton in 2022, increasing by 29% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Mexico ($1,343 per ton) and Spain ($1,200 per ton), while China ($898 per ton) and India ($966 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Graphic Papers

In 2022, global graphic papers exports shrank to 39M tons, reducing by -5.7% against the previous year. In general, exports recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 59M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, graphic papers exports surged to $42.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable descent. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $53B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (4.5M tons), Canada (3.9M tons), Indonesia (3.2M tons), China (2.9M tons), Finland (2.5M tons), Sweden (2.2M tons), Belgium (1.8M tons), Austria (1.7M tons), Portugal (1.5M tons), South Korea (1.3M tons), Brazil (1.2M tons) and Italy (1.2M tons) was the key exporter of graphic papers in the world, mixing up 71% of total export. The United States (1.2M tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +0.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($5.5B), Canada ($3.4B) and China ($3.4B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 29% share of global exports. Indonesia, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, the United States, South Korea and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

Among the main exporting countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +2.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, printing and writing paper (33M tons) was the main type of graphic papers, mixing up 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by newsprint (6M tons), creating a 15% share of total exports.

Printing and writing paper was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of -3.2% from 2012 to 2022. newsprint (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of printing and writing paper (+6.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of newsprint (-6.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, printing and writing paper ($37.5B) remains the largest type of graphic papers supplied worldwide, comprising 89% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by newsprint ($4.7B), with an 11% share of global exports.

For printing and writing paper, exports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.6% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices By Type

The average graphic papers export price stood at $1,083 per ton in 2022, increasing by 29% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was printing and writing paper ($1,145 per ton), while the average price for exports of newsprint stood at $783 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by newsprint (+1.9%).

Export Prices By Country

The average graphic papers export price stood at $1,083 per ton in 2022, jumping by 29% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($1,499 per ton), while Indonesia ($850 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform