Cracker prices to soar 15%-20% this Diwali
Madurai: Firecracker buyers face a 15% to 20% increase in retail prices this Diwali as soaring raw material costs and production curbs squeeze Sivakasi , the country’s fireworks hub. In the second week of October, retail prices were around Rs55 for a pack of ten large flowerpots, Rs80 for 10 special ground spinners and Rs70 for five two-sound rockets. T Kannan of The Indian Fireworks Manufacturers Association (TIFMA) said sulphur price had surged from Rs 75 to Rs 140 a kg before easing to Rs 100. Aluminium, sodium nitrate and other inputs have also become around 30% costlier. Manufacturers estimated that delays and costlier chemicals could increase production expenses by around 15%. District authorities say they have inspected more than 700 units following the death of 41 people and injuries for 39 in 24 accidents reported in the last 10 months. P Ganesan from Sonny FIreworks, however, defended the inspections, underway since Sept 16, saying temporary suspensions allowed factories to correct violations.
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N Elangovan of Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders said bulk sales were gaining momentum, with retail quotations already reflecting higher costs. “Prices could rise further after the puja holidays as demand peaks,” he said. P N Deva of Firecrackers and Matchbox Manufacturers Association said supplies of sulphur and adhesives were delayed as shipping disruptions in the Gulf forced vessels to take longer routes. TIFMA’s Kannan said repeated checks at licensed factories were disrupting production while illegally leased and subleased facilities, where he said serious violations occurred, escaped sufficient scrutiny. Deva said unlicensed production had fallen sharply. “Some licensed brands previously bought popular crackers, including rockets, flower pots and ground spinners, from unlicensed makers and sold them under their own labels to cut costs, affecting registered workers’ earnings,” he said. Licences imposed different production limits, and only properly equipped units could manufacture combination and aerial fireworks, he said. He said stricter compliance was vital for an industry handling highly energetic materials, where mistakes could cause fatal accidents. “The industry supports about eight lakh families, directly and indirectly, with women accounting for 55% of workers,” he added.
At the factories, the biggest blow has come from chemicals. Factory inspections have compounded the squeeze. But manufacturers disagree over the crackdown’s impact. Despite the conflicting assessments of enforcement, manufacturers maintain that the annual price revision is modest compared to the increase in production costs, and unavoidable if factories are to remain viable. Download the TOI App.