Paper Market on a Dissonant Path: Green Inventory, Red Prices

According to the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), in recent days, the writing paper market in Iran has once again faced a price surge; an increase that publishing industry activists and paper sellers describe as ‘unprecedented and unjustified growth’.

Market monitoring shows that in less than a week, with an increase of about 150,000 Tomans, the price has reached an unprecedented figure of 2,500,000 Tomans.

This comes despite market reports indicating no shortage of supply, and warehouses still holding paper inventory. Nevertheless, market players believe that the activities of intermediaries, severe currency rate fluctuations, and insufficient oversight have led to sudden and uncontrollable price increases.

The increase in paper prices directly increases the cost of book production and other printed products, causing many publishers to face liquidity problems or even production halts. Furthermore, the decrease in people’s purchasing power in recent months has led to a reduction in demand for books; an issue that, according to industry activists, has placed the market in a vicious cycle of stagnation and high prices.

Each ream of 70-gram paper, 100×70 cm, is offered in the market for 2,500,000 Tomans, and the 60×90 cm size for 2,200,000 Tomans. This situation occurs while the prices for these two items last week were 2,280,000 and 2,080,000 Tomans, respectively.

80-gram paper also experienced a price increase this week, with its 70×100 cm size traded at approximately 2,800,000 Tomans, and the 60×90 cm size of 80-gram paper sold for 2,300,000 Tomans per ream.

Also, the price of each kilogram of 250-gram grey-back cardboard is 95,000 Tomans, 180-gram at 93,000 Tomans per kilogram, 230-gram at 95,000 Tomans per kilogram, and 250-gram at 92,000 Tomans per kilogram.

Glossy paper, 128-gram basis weight, 100×70 cm size, was priced at 100,000 to 105,000 Tomans per kilogram; 250-gram, 70×100 cm size, at 115,000 Tomans; 300-gram, 70×100 cm size, at approximately 115,000 Tomans; and 200-gram, 70×100 cm size, at 109,000 Tomans.

Monitoring of other consumables used by printers and publishers also indicates price increases in these areas, with two-sheet zinc plates trading at 220,000 to 240,000 Tomans depending on brand and country of manufacture. Isopropyl alcohol produced in the Netherlands was announced at 140,000 to 150,000 Tomans per kilogram, and isopropyl alcohol produced in Korea at 160,000 Tomans.

Additionally, each kilogram of Iranian colored glossy ink is available in the market for 470,000 Tomans; Iranian black glossy ink for 365,000 Tomans; Iranian colored writing ink for 403,000 Tomans; and Iranian black writing ink for 315,000 Tomans. Foreign glossy ink prices rose this week to approximately 560,000 to 690,000 Tomans.

Iranian cold binding glue was traded at 2,900,000 Tomans, and hot glue at 340,000 Tomans per kilogram in the market.