With the new education season beckoning in Turkey, parents have been warned that stationery products are expected to rise in price.

Stating that besides the digital platform, the pandemic period has caused serious wounds in the stationery industry, and Aydin stationery operator Erdem Dilmen emphasized that a tough winter awaits stationers this year.

Stating that after the pandemic, the stationery industry was trying to survive, especially after the 300 percent hike in paper, Dilmen said: “Digital sales affected us during the pandemic period. Citizens especially complain that the fees for preparatory books are too high. 

“Compared to last year, we experienced a 300 percent increase in our sector. The reason for this is due to the increase in paper. Since imported products in stationery are indexed to the dollar, taxes were also partially increased, so they were affected by the hikes. 

“Even if there are stationery products manufactured in Turkey, they are not very cheap either. Supply from China is not as easy as it used to be due to the pandemic and logistics. Citizens do not wait for the academic season in the hope of ‘I can spend it easily’. People will definitely try to make their choices more economically.”

Underlining that the industry is in a preparation to maintain its own existence, Dilmen said: “Stationery manufacturers, wholesalers and those serving in the retail sector have customer potentials that they are accustomed to. 

“He has to make a price policy in order not to lose them. Minimum wage, rents, our own expenses, fuel expenses have increased. This process is the period of survival on its own profit. It somehow survives, but I don’t know if anyone will stumble. I hope everyone can get on with their lives. 

“We sold the paper for 24 liras and 50 cents in September last year, our current selling price is 99 liras. It is not possible to replace the products at the price we sold them. Right now, a quality bag is over 300 liras.”

Stating that the resource books requested in schools are one of the most important expense items that increase a student’s stationery needs, Dilmen said: “The resource books requested in schools are the most important thing that increases a student’s expenses. 

“Last year’s school bag along with basic supplies from A to Z and their cost is entirely up to the parent. When you prefer licensed products, the cost inevitably increases. I think a difficult winter awaits us.”