The UK graphic papers market, valued at $3B in 2024, is forecast to grow to 2.7M tons ($3.8B) by 2035. Consumption has declined significantly from 2013 peaks. The market is dominated by printing and writing paper (75% of volume). The UK is a net importer, relying heavily on suppliers like Germany, Finland, and Sweden, while primarily exporting newsprint to Germany. Domestic production has also contracted sharply since 2013.<\/p>\n
Key Findings<\/p>\n
UK graphic papers market is forecast to reach 2.7M tons ($3.8B) by 2035 following a period of significant historical declinePrinting and writing paper dominates consumption (75%) and is higher value than newsprintThe UK is a major net importer, sourcing over 1.6M tons primarily from Germany, Finland, and SwedenDomestic production has more than halved since its 2013 peak, falling to 929K tons in 2024Export volume has fallen sharply, with newsprint being the main export product sent largely to GermanyMarket Forecast<\/p>\n
Driven by rising demand for graphic papers in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.7M tons by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.8B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
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ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Graphic Papers<\/p>\n
Graphic papers consumption in the UK rose slightly to 2.2M tons in 2024, growing by 4.2% on the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption reached the peak volume at 4.5M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n
The value of the graphic papers market in the UK shrank to $3B in 2024, falling by -5.8% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. Graphic papers consumption peaked at $4B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n
Consumption By Type<\/p>\n
Printing and writing paper<\/a> (1.6M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 75% of total volume. Moreover, printing and writing paper<\/a> exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, newsprint<\/a> (546K tons), threefold.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of printing and writing paper consumption totaled -5.9%.<\/p>\n In value terms, printing and writing paper ($2.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by newsprint ($354M).<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of printing and writing paper market amounted to -1.4%.<\/p>\n ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Graphic Papers<\/p>\n In 2024, production of graphic papers was finally on the rise to reach 929K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak volume at 1.8M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n In value terms, graphic papers production declined slightly to $1.3B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $1.8B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n Production By Type<\/p>\n Newsprint<\/a> (480K tons) and printing and writing paper (449K tons) were the main products of graphic papers production in the UK.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for printing and writing paper (with a CAGR of -2.1%).<\/p>\n In value terms, printing and writing paper ($1.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by newsprint ($400M).<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of printing and writing paper production amounted to +3.5%.<\/p>\n ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Graphic Papers<\/p>\n Graphic papers imports into the UK expanded to 1.6M tons in 2024, increasing by 1.6% compared with 2023 figures. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 3.5M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n In value terms, graphic papers imports declined to $1.9B in 2024. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when imports increased by 54%. Imports peaked at $3.3B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n Imports By Country<\/p>\n Germany<\/a> (294K tons), Finland<\/a> (272K tons) and Sweden<\/a> (239K tons) were the main suppliers of graphic papers imports to the UK, together accounting for 40% of total imports. Norway<\/a>, Austria<\/a>, Portugal<\/a>, Italy<\/a>, Canada<\/a>, Belgium<\/a>, Brazil<\/a> and France<\/a> lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n In value terms, the largest graphic papers suppliers to the UK were Germany ($355M), Finland ($286M) and Sweden ($231M), together accounting for 38% of total imports. Austria, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Belgium, Canada, France and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.<\/p>\n In terms of the main suppliers, Canada, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw 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.<\/p>\n Imports By Type<\/p>\n In 2024, printing and writing paper (1.3M tons) constituted the largest type of graphic papers supplied to the UK, with a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, printing and writing paper exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, newsprint (311K tons), fourfold.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of printing and writing paper imports amounted to -7.3%.<\/p>\n In value terms, printing and writing paper ($1.6B) constituted the largest type of graphic papers supplied to the UK, comprising 89% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by newsprint ($205M), with an 11% share of total imports.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of printing and writing paper imports stood at -5.0%.<\/p>\n Import Prices By Type<\/p>\n The average graphic papers import price stood at $1,177 per ton in 2024, reducing by -4.5% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated temperate growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, graphic papers import price increased by +48.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $1,233 per ton in 2023, and then shrank modestly in the following year.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was printing and writing paper ($1,305 per ton), while the price for newsprint amounted to $661 per ton.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by printing and writing paper (+2.5%).<\/p>\n Import Prices By Country<\/p>\n The average graphic papers import price stood at $1,131 per ton in 2022, growing by 33% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.<\/p>\n 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 France ($1,571 per ton), while the price for Norway ($760 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Graphic Papers<\/p>\n In 2024, the amount of graphic papers exported from the UK reduced to 344K tons, declining by -10.7% against 2023 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 7.7%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at 737K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n In value terms, graphic papers exports shrank notably to $385M in 2024. Overall, exports showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 13%. The exports peaked at $870M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n Exports By Country<\/p>\n Germany (139K tons) was the main destination for graphic papers exports from the UK, with a 35% share of total exports. Moreover, graphic papers exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (45K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States<\/a> (31K tons), with a 7.8% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany stood at +6.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-7.1% per year) and the United States (+3.0% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, Germany ($159M) remains the key foreign market for graphic papers exports from the UK, comprising 26% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($69M), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with an 11% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany totaled +5.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-3.3% per year) and the United States (+7.1% per year).<\/p>\n Exports By Type<\/p>\n Newsprint (245K tons) was the largest type of graphic papers exported from the UK, with a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, newsprint exceeded the volume of the second product type, printing and writing paper (100K tons), twofold.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of newsprint exports stood at -3.9%.<\/p>\n In value terms, graphic papers with the largest exports in the UK were printing and writing paper ($210M) and newsprint ($174M).<\/p>\n In terms of the main product categories, newsprint, with a CAGR of -2.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.<\/p>\n Export Prices By Type<\/p>\n The average graphic papers export price stood at $1,117 per ton in 2024, with a decrease of -9.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,526 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was printing and writing paper ($2,114 per ton), while the average price for exports of newsprint totaled $712 per ton.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: printing and writing paper (+2.0%).<\/p>\n Export Prices By Country<\/p>\n In 2022, the average graphic papers export price amounted to $1,526 per ton, jumping by 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Malaysia<\/a> ($3,329 per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan<\/a> ($745 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malaysia (+20.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n