Domestic paper manufacturers have increased prices by 15 percent because the price of pulp, the main raw material for making paper, has increased by a third this year.
Nguyen Minh Trung, marketing director of Vinh Tien Paper Joint Stock Co, said the first consignment of notebooks sent to distributors in May had seen an increase in price by at least 15 percent.
Trung said the price increase was unavoidable since the cost of writing paper jumped from 16.8 million VND (913 USD) per tonne to 19 million VND (1,032 USD).
"We considered carefully before increasing the price," he said.
A business manager of a notebook making firm in HCM City's District 6, said the prices of other kinds of papers – like Bristol and couche, which are used for making notebook and magazine covers – too went up by 1 million VND (54.3 USD) per tonne in the last month to 23.5 million VND (1,277 USD).
Used paper prices rose from 2.8 million VND (152 USD) – 3 million VND (163 USD) to 3.7 million VND (201 USD) – 4 million VND (217 USD).
Han Vinh Quang, general director of southern Binh Duong province-based An Binh Paper Ltd Co, said his company increased the price of corrugated medium paper from 5.4 million VND (293 USD) to 7.4 million VND (402 USD) and of duplex paper, from 10.8 million VND (586 USD) to 12.4 million VND (674 USD).
"We have to hike prices because imported pulp prices have risen to 850-900 USD per tonne, an increase of 200 USD compared to early this year."
As a result, many small paper mills have stopped or suspended operations, hitting supply in the market.
Quang said power, water, and transport costs also went up, forcing paper manufacturers to increase prices.
Since Vietnamese paper companies depend heavily on imported raw materials – up to 50 percent – any rise in global prices has a strong impact on them./.
Nguyen Minh Trung, marketing director of Vinh Tien Paper Joint Stock Co, said the first consignment of notebooks sent to distributors in May had seen an increase in price by at least 15 percent.
Trung said the price increase was unavoidable since the cost of writing paper jumped from 16.8 million VND (913 USD) per tonne to 19 million VND (1,032 USD).
"We considered carefully before increasing the price," he said.
A business manager of a notebook making firm in HCM City's District 6, said the prices of other kinds of papers – like Bristol and couche, which are used for making notebook and magazine covers – too went up by 1 million VND (54.3 USD) per tonne in the last month to 23.5 million VND (1,277 USD).
Used paper prices rose from 2.8 million VND (152 USD) – 3 million VND (163 USD) to 3.7 million VND (201 USD) – 4 million VND (217 USD).
Han Vinh Quang, general director of southern Binh Duong province-based An Binh Paper Ltd Co, said his company increased the price of corrugated medium paper from 5.4 million VND (293 USD) to 7.4 million VND (402 USD) and of duplex paper, from 10.8 million VND (586 USD) to 12.4 million VND (674 USD).
"We have to hike prices because imported pulp prices have risen to 850-900 USD per tonne, an increase of 200 USD compared to early this year."
As a result, many small paper mills have stopped or suspended operations, hitting supply in the market.
Quang said power, water, and transport costs also went up, forcing paper manufacturers to increase prices.
Since Vietnamese paper companies depend heavily on imported raw materials – up to 50 percent – any rise in global prices has a strong impact on them./.
