Libyan publishers face rising book costs
Fluctuating exchange rates and import expenses drive up production costs for local books.
Libyan publishers are struggling with increased book production costs due to reliance on imported paper and fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. These economic challenges are pushing up retail prices for books across the country.
Ali Jaber, manager of Al-Jaber Publishing, stated that printing costs are similar across Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia because all presses use imported paper. He explained that books are often priced using the US dollar on the parallel market, as official letters of credit for imports are unavailable, making production costs dependent on unofficial exchange rates. In 2010, producing a book cost about $5, equivalent to 7.5 dinars, but today the same dollar amount is nearly 50 dinars.
While Libyan titles typically range from 30 to 50 dinars, imported books can cost 100 to 1000 dinars. Shipping books from Cairo to Benghazi can be cheaper than between some Libyan cities, costing about 100 dinars per parcel, though delays of up to 45 days are common. Printing in Egypt offers Libyan publishers more flexibility for participating in international book fairs.
Why it mattersLibyan readers face higher book prices due to increased production costs driven by exchange rates and imported materials.