Sri Lanka: Newspaper Market 2025

Newspaper Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan newspaper market shrank to $X in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced setback. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Newspaper Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, newspaper production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 47%. Newspaper production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Newspaper Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

Newspaper exports from Sri Lanka shrank dramatically to X units in 2022, waning by -89.4% against 2021 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate a sharp decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 12%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, newspaper exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a precipitous contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 59%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Maldives (X units) was the main destination for newspaper exports from Sri Lanka, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, newspaper exports to Maldives exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Seychelles (X units), twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Maldives amounted to -26.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Seychelles (+52.9% per year) and Canada (-18.8% per year).

In value terms, Maldives ($X) remains the key foreign market for newspapers, journals and periodicals exports from Sri Lanka, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Seychelles ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Maldives totaled -20.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Seychelles (+52.4% per year) and Canada (-9.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average newspaper export price amounted to $X per unit, jumping by 122% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a resilient expansion. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Maldives ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+51.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Newspaper Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, the amount of newspapers, journals and periodicals imported into Sri Lanka contracted markedly to X units, falling by -42.1% against the year before. Overall, imports showed a sharp contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 765% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, newspaper imports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 411% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X units), Japan (X units) and the UK (X units) were the main suppliers of newspaper imports to Sri Lanka, together accounting for 57% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore and Hong Kong SAR, which together accounted for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +67.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) constituted the largest supplier of newspapers, journals and periodicals to Sri Lanka, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 9.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Singapore, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Hong Kong SAR amounted to +31.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-15.2% per year) and Singapore (-25.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average newspaper import price amounted to $X per unit, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 100%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per unit), while the price for the United States ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+35.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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