Nepal: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Nepal

The Nepalese printing and writing paper market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, picking up by 17% 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -9.4% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Nepal

In 2022, the amount of printing and writing paper exported from Nepal shrank remarkably to X tons, dropping by -17.6% compared with the previous year. In general, total exports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +36.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports expanded to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

India (X tons) was the main destination for printing and writing paper exports from Nepal, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, printing and writing paper exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by China (X tons), with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to India stood at +27.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-10.2% per year) and China (+8.8% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for printing and writing paper exports from Nepal, comprising 34% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States amounted to +6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+4.2% per year) and India (+7.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -44.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 132%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($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 Sweden (+39.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Nepal

In 2022, approx. X tons of printing and writing paper were imported into Nepal; which is down by -4.7% against the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -7.0% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 63%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -17.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of printing and writing paper to Nepal, accounting for a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, printing and writing paper imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Indonesia (X tons), sixfold. Thailand (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India stood at +8.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (+11.9% per year) and Thailand (+21.4% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of printing and writing paper to Nepal, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from India stood at +8.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (+11.1% per year) and Thailand (+20.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bangladesh ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform