Matches/ Matchboxes: India
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Prices
2007, 2021
Ananth MK, Oct 23, 2021: The Times of India
After 14 years, matchboxes will be costlier by Re1. Representatives of five major matchbox industry bodies have unanimously resolved to increase the MRP of a matchbox from Re 1 to Rs 2 with effect from December 1. The last time the price was revised was in 2007, from 50 paise to Re 1. The decision was taken in the meeting of the All India Chamber of Matches at Sivakasi. Industry representatives attributed the recent increase in raw material prices as the reason for increasing the price.
Manufacturers said that 14 raw materials are needed to make a matchbox. The price of a kilogram of red phosphorus has climbed from Rs 425 to Rs 810, wax from Rs 58 to Rs 80, outer box board from Rs 36 to Rs 55 and inner box board from Rs 32 to Rs 58. Price of paper, splints, potassium chlorate and sulphur have also increased since October 10. Increasing diesel price has also burdened them further.
Secretary of the National Small Matchbox Manufacturers’ Association VS Sethurathinam told TOI that manufacturers are selling a bundle of 600 matchboxes (with 50 matchsticks in each box) for Rs 270 to Rs 300. “We have decided to increase the selling price from our units by 60% to Rs 430-480 per bundle. This is excluding 12% GST and cost of transportation,” he said.
Around four lakh people are directly or indirectly employed in the industry across Tamil Nadu and more than 90% of the direct employees are women. The industry hopes to attract a more stable workforce by paying them better as many are evincing interest in working under the MGNREGS and as farm hands as they are much more remunerative.
