Bulgaria: Newsprint Market 2023

Newsprint Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian newsprint market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Newsprint Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, approx. X tons of newsprint were exported from Bulgaria; with a decrease of -13.2% against 2020. In general, exports continue to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 33%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, newsprint exports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 29%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Albania (X tons) were the main destinations of newsprint exports from Bulgaria, with a combined 92% share of total exports. Serbia and North Macedonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Serbia (with a CAGR of +54.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for newsprint exported from Bulgaria were Romania ($X), Greece ($X) and Albania ($X), together accounting for 91% of total exports. These countries were followed by Serbia and North Macedonia, which together accounted for a further 7.7%.

Among the main countries of destination, Serbia, with a CAGR of +58.6%, recorded 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 2021, growing by 13% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 30%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to Serbia ($X per ton) and Albania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($X per ton) and Greece ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Serbia (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Newsprint Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, imports of newsprint into Bulgaria contracted to X tons, with a decrease of -6.2% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 3.5%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, newsprint imports reached $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Russia (X tons) constituted the largest newsprint supplier to Bulgaria, accounting for a 61% share of total imports. Moreover, newsprint imports from Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Austria (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Russia stood at -13.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (-1.4% per year) and Germany (-1.6% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of newsprint to Bulgaria, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Austria ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Russia amounted to -14.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (-3.3% per year) and Germany (-3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average newsprint import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 25%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices from Germany ($X per ton) and Finland ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) and Russia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovenia (-1.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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