Russia may increase newsprint supplies to India during next several years

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Lajsikonik
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Lajsikonik

The share of Russian companies in the total exports of newsprint to India in the near future may increase up to 40% during the next several years, according to Vijay Kumar, general secretary of the Indian Association of Newsprint Producers.

At present the annual demand for newsprint in India is currently estimated at 2.8 million tonnes, of which up to 50% account for imports.

According to Kumar, last year the share of Russia in total newsprint imports to India amounted to 20.7%, which is equivalent to 248,400 tonnes.

According to Kumar, the annual growth rates of the Indian newsprint market are 5.6%, which are projected to continue for at least 10 years.

Vijay Kumar comments:

"Russia can provide up to 30-40 percent of India's needs in newsprint, if Russian companies to establish a regular, not one-time deliveries".

At present among the leading Russian newsprint suppliers to India are such companies as Volga pulp and paper mill, OAO Kondopoga , Solikamskbumprom and some others.