From Scarcity to High Prices; The Paper Crisis in the Shadow of Currency Shortage

The Iranian book publishing industry is facing an unprecedented crisis stemming from severe paper shortages and skyrocketing prices, exacerbated by a lack of foreign currency for imports.

Publishers report that the cost of paper, a critical raw material, has increased dramatically over the past year, making it increasingly difficult to print new books or even reprint existing titles profitably.

Experts in the field warn that this crisis could lead to a significant reduction in the number of published books, threatening cultural production and the accessibility of knowledge for the public.

The government’s inability to allocate sufficient foreign exchange for paper imports has been identified as the primary cause, pushing many small and medium-sized publishers to the brink of closure.

Industry stakeholders are calling for urgent governmental intervention, including subsidies and dedicated currency allocations, to prevent a collapse of the publishing sector.