Book publishing houses declare that book prices are up due to the current situation on the international markets.
Director of "Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House" Tina Mamulashvili told bm.ge that the price increase is caused by the growing prices on the raw materials, as well as the pandemic and logistic problems caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to her, if one ton of paper used to cost USD 800, now its price totals to USD 1,200.
"Publishers are trying to maintain book prices. However, many problems have accumulated worldwide in terms of production. In Georgia, books are either fully imported or the necessary raw materials are coming from abroad. During the Covid period, many difficulties arose. The problem was the price of paper and transportation. The cost of raw materials has doubled. If earlier 1 ton of paper cost USD 800, now its price totals to USD 1,200. We try to increase the prices as carefully as possible, therefore the price of some books has increased by GEL 1, while some by GEL 2," - says the director of "Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House".
Book price increase is also confirmed by the "Biblus Group". The managing partner of the company, Irakli Gagnidze, explained to bm.ge that the price adjustment started from 2021 due to the sharp increase on paper price.
"The price change started in 2021 and continued early in 2022. During this period, there was a critical increase in the price of paper. We try to keep the book prices. Price increase totals to 20-30% compared to the period until 2021," - says the managing partner of "Biblus Group".
Books became more expensive in "BookMark books in Vakeshi". Mariam Kikacheishvili, the founder of the bookstore, told bm.ge that many publications used to print books in China, but now the process has moved to Europe, and this has caused a difference in price.
"A lot of books were printed in China, it was relatively cheaper. Now the process has moved to Europe, which has led to a price difference. International publications are also worried about this, but it was inevitable. Most of the books printed in Georgia were printed abroad. In our store, the price has changed from 5 to 20%" - says Mariam Kikacheishvili.
