Printing and Writing Paper Market

The global printing and writing paper market is forecasted to see a slight increase in performance over the next eight years, with a projected CAGR of +1.5% in volume and +3.3% in value. China leads in consumption and production, while the United States and Germany are key importers. Coated printing and writing papers and uncoated wood free printing and writing papers are the main products in terms of volume and value. Average import prices are expected to continue to rise, with differences noted across countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for printing and writing paper 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 +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 107M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $159.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Printing and Writing Paper

For the fifth consecutive year, the global market recorded decline in consumption of printing and writing paper, which decreased by -6% to 96M tons in 2022. In general, consumption saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 0.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume at 119M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global printing and writing paper market revenue fell modestly to $122.7B in 2022, dropping by -2.1% 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 saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.2% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $130.9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of printing and writing paper consumption was China (35M tons), accounting for 37% of total volume. Moreover, printing and writing paper consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (11M tons), threefold. India (5.1M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (-5.2% per year) and India (+3.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($57.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($11.6B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-5.0% per year) and Japan (-7.8% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of printing and writing paper per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (47 kg per person), Japan (38 kg per person) and the United States (32 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (43M tons), coated printing and writing papers (27M tons) and uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers (27M tons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consumed products, was attained by uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (with a CAGR of -0.8%), while consumption for the other products experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($46.8B), uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($46.6B) and coated printing and writing papers ($29.3B) were the products with the highest levels of market value in 2022.

Uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers, with a CAGR of +1.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consumed products over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced a decline in the market figures.

Production

World Production of Printing and Writing Paper

In 2022, global printing and writing paper production dropped to 97M tons, falling by -5.4% on the previous year. In general, production saw a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 0.6% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 120M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper production dropped modestly to $123B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12%. Global production peaked at $130.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (38M tons) remains the largest printing and writing paper producing country worldwide, accounting for 39% of total volume. Moreover, printing and writing paper production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (7.9M tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (5.1M tons), with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-6.9% per year) and India (+3.3% per year).

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (43M tons), uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers (27M tons) and coated printing and writing papers (27M tons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main produced products, was attained by uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (with a CAGR of -0.7%), while production for the other products experienced a decline in the production figures.

In value terms, the largest types of printing and writing paper in terms of market size were uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($51.6B), uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($44.1B) and coated printing and writing papers ($27.2B), together accounting for 99.9% of global production.

Uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers, with a CAGR of +2.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main produced products over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

In 2022, the amount of printing and writing paper imported worldwide fell to 32M tons, declining by -7.1% against the year before. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 45M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports skyrocketed to $37.9B in 2022. Overall, imports showed a mild decrease. Global imports peaked at $45.3B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (4M tons) and Germany (2.9M tons) represented the key importers of printing and writing paperin the world, together achieving 22% of total imports. France (1.9M tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by the UK (1.6M tons). All these countries together took near 11% share of total imports. Italy (1,198K tons), Belgium (1,013K tons), Poland (938K tons), Spain (808K tons), Turkey (785K tons), India (753K tons), China (722K tons), Mexico (687K tons) and the Netherlands (663K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest printing and writing paper importing markets worldwide were the United States ($4.6B), Germany ($3.4B) and France ($2.3B), with a combined 27% share of global imports. The UK, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Mexico, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, India and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +4.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

Coated printing and writing papers (14M tons) and uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (13M tons) represented roughly 86% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers (4.4M tons), comprising a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key imported products, was attained by uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (with a CAGR of -1.4%), while imports for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, coated printing and writing papers ($17.2B), uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($16.5B) and uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($4.2B) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022.

Among the main imported products, uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, with a CAGR of -0.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $1,198 per ton, increasing by 30% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. 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 imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($1,247 per ton), while the price for uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($959 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by coated printing and writing paper (+2.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $1,198 per ton, jumping by 30% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, import price reached 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 ($1,483 per ton) and the Netherlands ($1,405 per ton), while China ($1,057 per ton) and India ($1,111 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

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

Exports

World Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

In 2022, global exports of printing and writing paper declined to 33M tons, which is down by -5.5% against the previous year. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 6.2%. The global exports peaked at 45M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports surged to $37.5B in 2022. In general, exports recorded a slight slump. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $44.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

Germany (4M tons), Indonesia (3.3M tons), China (2.9M tons), Finland (2.4M tons), Canada (2M tons), Sweden (1.9M tons), Portugal (1.5M tons), Austria (1.5M tons), Belgium (1.4M tons), Brazil (1.2M tons), Italy (1.2M tons) and South Korea (1.1M tons) represented roughly 74% of total exports in 2022. The United States (1.1M tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +2.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($5B), China ($3.4B) and Indonesia ($2.8B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 30% share of global exports. Finland, Canada, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the United States, South Korea and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 46%.

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

Exports By Type

In 2022, coated printing and writing papers (14M tons) and uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (14M tons) were the main types of printing and writing paperacross the globe, together amounting to near 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers (5M tons), achieving a 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for uncoated wood free printing and writing papers (with a CAGR of -1.0%), while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, coated printing and writing papers ($16.7B), uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($16.2B) and uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($4.6B) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, with a CAGR of +0.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $1,145 per ton, rising by 26% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. 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 uncoated wood free printing and writing papers ($1,190 per ton), while the average price for exports of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers ($931 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by coated printing and writing paper (+2.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $1,145 per ton, picking up by 26% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, the export price reached 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 ($1,508 per ton), while Indonesia ($862 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform