Matchbox Price Hiked: From petrol-diesel to cooking gas, vegetables, pulses and edible oil, even matches are no longer cheap for the commoner, who is already facing inflation. The price of a match that lights up the poor’s house have doubled since December 1.
Matchbox Price Hiked to RS 2
Till now, the price of a matchbox in the country was 1 rupee. But this match, which lights 50 times for 1 rupee, has become 2 rupees from Wednesday, December 1 2021. Earlier in 2007, the price of the matchbox was increased to Re 1, and before that, it used to come in only 50 paise. In the last 14 years, inflation has reached the sky, but the price of this match, which illuminates the commoner’s house, did not increase.
Inflation hit the matchbox industry.
Due to the increase in the cost of making matches, the All India Chamber of Matches in Sivakasi has decided to increase the price of matches after nearly 14 years. Out of the items used in making matches, the prices of about 14 items are skyrocketing, and now the matchbox industry is unable to bear this inflation.
The increased cost of making matches
In making matches, the most crucial thing is red phosphorus, which we also call ‘rogan’ in ordinary language. The price of the same lacquer has now gone up to Rs 810 a kg instead of Rs 425. While the cost of wax has increased from Rs 58 to Rs 80, the cost of matchbox has increased from Rs 36 to Rs 55.
Apart from this, paper, potassium chlorate and sulphate have also been increasing continuously since October. Representatives of the matchbox industry say that it has become necessary to increase its prices in such a situation.
National Small Matchbox Manufacturers Association’s V.S. Sethuratinam told TOI that 600 matchboxes with 50 spokes are sold for Rs 270 to 300. The matchbox industry has decided to increase its price by 60%, i.e. from Rs 430 to Rs 480. These prices have been fixed, excluding GST of 12% and transportation costs.
The matchbox industry in the country mainly runs in Tamil Nadu. Here about 4 lakh people get direct and indirect employment from this. In this also about 90% are women.