The paper crisis in the printing and publishing industry is deepening. Due to the exorbitant hikes in paper prices in the last few years, products based on printed publications have increased 3-4 times.
It cannot be predicted when the crisis, in which many newspapers and magazines are closed or suspended, and publishing houses are unable to supply paper, will end.
In Turkey, which is a country dependent on paper imports, the fact that it is getting harder to buy paper due to the record increases in foreign exchange is giving the printing and publishing industry its worst period.
The situation of newspapers, printing houses and publishing houses, whose costs are increasing day by day in addition to paper, also reveals the extent of the economic crisis in Turkey.
“A BOOK SOLD FOR 20 TL IS NOW 60-70 TL”
İbrahim Capar, MİLSAN Production Manager, "The paper crisis has a global aspect, but it affects our country more. Paper manufacturers first meet the paper needs of Europe and then countries like Turkey. Even this situation is reflected in the paper prices, while the increases are indirectly reflected to the consumers. A book sold for 20 Turkish Lira is now 60-70 TL. Publishers are now afraid of the unstable situation in the country, or they interrupt or limit the production of books. Because after selling the book they produced with 100 tons of paper, publishing houses cannot buy 100 tons of paper again with the money they earn. In addition to paper, other costs of printing houses and publishing houses increased 2-3 times.," he said.
“THE EFFECT OF CLOSED PAPER FACTORIES IS GREAT”
Ravza Publications Editorial Coordinator Mustafa Kasadar drew attention to the effect of economic problems in Turkey on paper prices.
"All raw materials in the printing and publishing sector have doubled, but paper prices have increased even more. Of course, paper prices in Turkey increased in two ways. First, the import of paper in dollars and euros affected the prices very much. Secondly, disruptions in the global supply chain also affected paper prices in Turkey. We can see the effect of the closure of domestic paper mills more clearly now. If Turkey has a bigger problem than the rest of the world, the paper mills that have been closed have a big impact here," he said.
“PUBLISHING IS GOING TO HAVE DIFFICULT DAYS EVER IN ITS HISTORY”
In a special statement from Yeni Asya Newspaper regarding the paper crisis, "The publishing industry is going through more difficult times than ever before in its history. With digitalization, the demand for printed newspapers has already decreased, and the outbreak of the paper crisis causes major problems. With the increase in foreign exchange, oil and energy prices in Turkey recently, the problems have increased. We entered a serious crisis when paper prices increased on a currency basis. Like all newspapers, we also felt the increase in paper costs," it was stated.
“PAPER PRICES HIKED FOR 4-5 TIMES”
Model Education Publishing Editor-in-Chief Şeref Ağdağ, "We feel the paper crisis too much now. Prices are higher than ever before. Paper is not one hundred percent, but 4-5 times increased. There is also a problem in paper supply," he said.
“PAPER IS A SECURITY ISSUE FOR TURKEY RIGHT NOW”
Aydınlık Newspaper Editor-in-Chief İlker Yücel pointed out the problems caused by the paper crisis in his special statements to the Milli Gazete.
"Paper is currently a security issue for Turkey. The paper crisis is at a level that will affect the freedom of the press. There is no country without a printed media, but we are completely dependent on imports for paper. The state needs to solve this problem, if public institutions buy paper and balance the market, this problem will be solved. How many newspapers were closed in a few years. The print media is dying. Even the state has stopped publishing its official newspaper and has turned to digital media. If Turkey does not take steps in this regard, the press will become open to foreign intervention. The social media press is on the rise right now, and the paper problem has a high impact here. The state has to support the print media here," he said.