Belgium: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2024

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Belgium

In 2022, the Belgian printing and writing paper market decreased by 99.9% to less than $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption showed a deep reduction. Printing and writing paper consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in Belgium

In value terms, printing and writing paper production reduced markedly to less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 4.6%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, shipments abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -40.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), the UK (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from Belgium, with a combined 58% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Austria, India, Luxembourg and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +38.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from Belgium were the UK ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together comprising 58% of total exports. France, Poland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, India and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +29.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 7.6%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Belgium

Printing and writing paper imports into Belgium reduced dramatically to X tons in 2022, waning by -61.4% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 82%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports contracted rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 58%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to Belgium, together accounting for 55% of total imports. France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +31.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Finland ($X) and France ($X) were the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to Belgium, together accounting for 50% of total imports. Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Among the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +28.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 9.4%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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