Thoothukudi, April 9 (NationPress) The safety match manufacturing sector in southern Tamil Nadu is set to shut down from April 12 to 25. This complete halt comes as manufacturers protest against the significant increase in raw material costs and the alleged hoarding practices by wholesale traders.

Industry leaders are calling on both state and federal governments to intervene urgently, initiating talks to address the escalating crisis. This decision to suspend operations was made collectively by manufacturers’ associations from Kovilpatti, Sattur, and Sivakasi—vital hubs for match production in India.

This shutdown is anticipated to affect around five lakh workers directly engaged in the industry, which contributes approximately Rs 800 crore to domestic trade and Rs 600 crore to annual exports.

Manufacturers express that the rising costs of inputs have rendered continued operations financially unfeasible, especially while adhering to the traditional retail price of Rs one per matchbox. The situation has worsened due to global supply chain disruptions arising from the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to industry statistics, the cost of paraffin wax has surged from Rs 80 to Rs 165 per kilogram, while sulphur has risen from Rs 26 to Rs 81 per kilogram. The price of phosphorus has climbed from Rs 605 to Rs 646 per kilogram, and potassium dichromate has increased from Rs 276 to Rs 345 per kilogram.

Moreover, other materials like potassium chlorate, carton boxes, BOPP reels, and match splints sourced from Kerala have also experienced notable price hikes.

M. Paramasivam, president of the National Small Safety Match Association, has accused wholesale traders of hoarding raw materials, creating artificial scarcity in the market.

He stated that despite efforts to procure sufficient supplies, manufacturers have struggled to receive adequate materials since the onset of the conflict. He described the current circumstances as critical, emphasizing that the industry cannot maintain operations under these cost pressures.

Paramasivam has urged authorities to take stringent measures against hoarding and ensure fair pricing and accessibility of essential materials.

With production anticipated to cease for nearly two weeks, stakeholders in the industry are worried about severe economic repercussions, including wage losses for thousands of workers and disruptions in supply chains, unless immediate corrective actions are taken.