With effect from December 1, the price of matchsticks will be ₹1 from the current ₹2 and this is in view of the increase in production cost due to increase in the price of raw materials, the industry body said on Sunday.
However, consumers will get more matchsticks in a box when they buy it from 36 matchsticks to Rs 50 per box.
VS Sethurathynam, secretary, National Small Matches Manufacturers Association, said the proposed price hike comes after a gap of 14 years.
There has been an increase in the price of raw materials, leading to a jump in the cost of production, he said, adding, “We have no option but to increase the selling (maximum retail price) price.” There has been an increase in the price of all 14 major raw materials. “One kg red phosphorus increased from ₹410 to ₹850, wax ₹72 to ₹85, potassium chlorate ₹68 to ₹80, splints from ₹42 to ₹48. Outer box ₹42 to ₹55 and inner box From ₹38 to ₹48. In this way, the price of all raw materials has gone up manifold,” he told PTI.
“Rise in fuel prices is also a factor. This has increased the transportation cost.” Therefore, the price of a matchstick will be increased from the current ₹1 to ₹2 (MRP) from 1st December.
“After about six months we can review the situation. In 2007, the price was raised from fifty paise to ₹1 per matchbox.” However, Mr. Sethurathinam said that the number of match sticks in the match box would be increased from the present 36 to 50. “When you pay ₹2, you will get 50 matchsticks.” He said the price hike would help tide over the situation arising out of increase in cost of production and the hike was decided after consultations with all the unions.
He said that about five lakh people are directly and indirectly dependent on the matchbox industry and 90% of the workforce is women.
Tamil Nadu is a major manufacturer of match boxes and Kovilpatti, Sattur, Sivakasi, Thiurthangal, Ettayapuram, Kazugumalai, Sankarankoil, Gudiyattam and Kaveripakkam are the major production centres.
There are around 1,000 matchbox units including small and medium-sized matchbox makers.
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