Serbia: Newsprint Market 2025

Newsprint Market Size in Serbia

The Serbian newsprint market contracted modestly to $X in 2022, falling by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Newsprint Production in Serbia

In value terms, newsprint production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 33%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Newsprint Exports

Exports from Serbia

In 2022, overseas shipments of newsprint increased by 49% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 237%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, newsprint exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 251% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons) was the main destination for newsprint exports from Serbia, with a 91% share of total exports. Moreover, newsprint exports to North Macedonia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Montenegro (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Croatia (X tons), with a 0.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to North Macedonia amounted to +42.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Montenegro (+3.6% per year) and Croatia (-3.0% per year).

In value terms, North Macedonia ($X) remains the key foreign market for newsprint exports from Serbia, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Montenegro ($X), with an 8.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 0.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to North Macedonia stood at +44.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Montenegro (+6.8% per year) and Italy (-18.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average newsprint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to North Macedonia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+18.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Newsprint Imports

Imports into Serbia

In 2022, newsprint imports into Serbia shrank slightly to X tons, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, newsprint imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a perceptible reduction. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Austria (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) were the main suppliers of newsprint imports to Serbia, together comprising 81% of total imports. Belarus, Germany, Spain and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +444.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Austria ($X), Russia ($X) and Slovenia ($X) appeared to be the largest newsprint suppliers to Serbia, with a combined 81% share of total imports. Belarus, Germany, Spain and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +595.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2022, the average newsprint import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, newsprint import price increased by +61.8% against 2020 indices. 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Germany ($X per ton) and Austria ($X per ton), while the price for Russia ($X per ton) and Belarus ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+27.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform