Republic of Korea: Newsprint Market 2025

Newsprint Market Size in Republic of Korea

The South Korean newsprint market reduced notably to $X in 2022, falling by -17.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Newsprint Production in Republic of Korea

In value terms, newsprint production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production faced a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Newsprint Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2022, shipments abroad of newsprint was finally on the rise to reach X tons after five years of decline. Overall, exports, however, faced a deep setback. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, newsprint exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main destinations of newsprint exports from South Korea, together accounting for 49% of total exports. Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by South Africa (with a CAGR of +16.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, India ($X), China ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for newsprint exported from South Korea worldwide, together comprising 47% of total exports. Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 46%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, South Africa, with a CAGR of +19.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average newsprint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 30% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Australia ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Tanzania (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Newsprint Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2022, approx. X tons of newsprint were imported into South Korea; falling by -63.3% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed a precipitous decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 50,239% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, newsprint imports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a dramatic setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 37,835%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) was the main supplier of newsprint to South Korea, accounting for a 98% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States (X kg), with a 1.4% share of total imports. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (X kg), with a 0.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +71.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-33.9% per year) and Japan (-37.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of newsprint to South Korea, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +82.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (-2.1% per year) and the United States (-39.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average newsprint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -46.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 287%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+56.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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