Despite optimistic tidings from our editor on the opposite page, the new year may be one of the most critical for the newspaper industry.
Over a number of years a newsprint glut helped keep newsprint prices down. However, as mills closed, the inevitable occurred: supply and demand caught up and newsprint is now in short supply.
Newsprint costs were expected to rise as paper supplies diminished, but only recently were the staggering figures released. Newsprint is expected to rise by more than 45 percent.
While still reeling from that revelation, newspapers were affected by strikes hitting the mills. The most recent is one that began Dec. 23 that shut down three B.C. mills operated by Fletcher Challenge Canada.
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A recent CP story noted prices have risen up to $500 (U.S.) per tonne from $411 at the end of 1993. Another $50 increase is planned for January, followed by further increases during the year.
Newspapers are fighting for survival: they’re seeking paper supplies, increasing subscription and single-copy prices, trimming up to 2.54 centimetres off their pages, and in some cases reducing staff.
How will The Western Producer be affected?
Four years ago our newspaper took a lot of the steps other papers are now doing. We trimmed 1.27 cm off each page, changed our fonts, used lighter stock of paper, and adopted new technology so more pre-press production can be done by our staff at a cheaper cost.
Some of the changes were influenced by the other fluctuating factor that influences our bottom line: postage costs.
Unfortunately, in the next year the two things that we have the least control over and impact us the most – postage and newsprint costs – face us again.
We’re still unsure what will happen in the next year, but we’ll keep you posted.
Have a happy new year.
