After 14 years, matchbox prices raised to Rs 2

Madurai: The humble matchbox, one of the integral parts of the daily life of the kitchen and the masses, will be costlier. The prices will be doubled from Rs 1 to Rs 2 per matchbox from December this year.

The federation of matchbox manufacturers has deicide to hike the price of matchboxes after 14 years. The last time the price raised to Rs 1 from 50 paise in 2007.

The federation has cited the rise in raw materials, transportation costs, and fuel prices as the reason for the hike.

A report by Times of India quoted the secretary of the National Small Matchbox Manufacturers’ Association V S Sethurathinam as saying that manufacturers have decided to increase the selling price from the units by 60% to Rs 430-480 per bundle which is excluding the 12% GST levied on them.