Egypt Publishing Feels The Squeeze

The Price of a Page: How Inflation is Rewriting Egypt's Story

A severe economic crisis is gripping Egypt, forcing a profound shift in the nation's cultural consumption. Citizens are now purchasing books using instalment plans, a credit method once designated for substantial acquisitions like cars and household appliances. This development highlights the intense financial pressure facing millions. The country has a long-established familiarity with paying for expensive goods over time. However, rampant inflation has redefined what constitutes a luxury, pulling literature into the category of high-cost items requiring deferred payment options. This new reality underscores the daily financial struggles and altered spending habits of the Egyptian people.

The nation's economic turmoil stems from a potent mix of factors. A persistent currency crisis has seen the Egyptian pound lose a staggering amount of its value against the US dollar following multiple devaluations. This collapse in currency value has drastically increased the expense of foreign products. Since the book trade has a significant dependence on overseas materials, including paper and ink, it has been hit particularly hard. The government points to external pressures, such as global supply chain disruptions and the conflict in Ukraine, as primary drivers of the crisis. Yet, years of domestic austerity measures and repeated financial disturbances have also significantly weakened the financial capacity of the general population.

A Publisher's Agonising Choice

The financial pressures have placed publishing houses in a precarious position. Mohammed El-Baaly from Sefsafa Publishing House observes that books have transformed into a luxury good. He notes that literature is not a fundamental item in the way food is, which prompts individuals to reduce spending on such items. His comments came as the Cairo International Book Fair opened its doors, a cornerstone of Arab literature that attracted a vast audience in previous years. The fair itself, a major cultural event, now operates under the shadow of economic uncertainty, with publishers questioning the public's capacity to buy new titles.

This economic reality forces difficult decisions upon those in the book trade. El-Baaly confirms that the costs for basic production materials have risen dramatically. The expense of paper has escalated to almost quadruple what it cost at the year's start. This surge directly impacts the final cost of every book that comes off the press. In response to these challenges, Sefsafa Publishing House has turned to producing books outside of Egypt and is deliberately making smaller print runs. These actions are a direct consequence of anticipating a sharp decline in consumer demand, a necessary adjustment for survival.

The Author's Creative Compromise

Writers in Egypt find themselves compelled to alter their creative processes. Some authors are actively reducing the scope of their work to make it more affordable to produce, reacting to book prices that have surged beyond twice their previous cost. This involves consciously trimming the number of characters in their narratives. They are also curbing the volume of description within their stories. These adjustments are not born of artistic preference but of economic necessity. The goal is to create shorter, more concise books that require fewer resources like ink and paper, thereby lowering the overall production cost and, hopefully, the final retail price for struggling readers.

Dina Afifi, a writer known for her popular fiction aimed at teenagers, provides a clear example of this trend. She hopes the new instalment schemes will help stimulate weak sales. The design of her most recent title, which explores the world of the pharaohs, was specifically altered to decrease manufacturing expenses. Afifi explained that the rising costs of printing necessitated a significant reduction in the book's length. What was originally planned as a volume of around 100 pages was ultimately reduced to just sixty pages, a direct consequence of the harsh economic climate facing the publishing world.

A Lifeline for Literature

An innovative solution was prompted by fears of a significant drop in attendance and sales at the Cairo International Book Fair for this year. Organisers introduced the option for customers to pay for books in instalments. This event, the most established and expansive of its type within the Arab region, is a vital marketplace for the entire publishing industry. The potential for a sales collapse threatened the livelihood of many publishers and authors. The instalment plan was conceived as a desperate but necessary measure to keep the literary market moving, even as consumers' budgets shrink under immense pressure.

Details of this new purchasing model were provided by the Egyptian Publishers Association. Customers now have the flexibility to spread payments for a book across a timeframe as long as nine months. This extended payment window is designed to make purchases more manageable for households facing tight finances. A modest interest rate of 1.5% accompanies the plan. This initiative represents a significant gamble, an attempt to bridge the widening gap between the rising cost of books and the diminishing purchasing ability of the Egyptian public, hoping to sustain the nation's appetite for reading.

The Shadow Market Thrives

As legitimate book sales face unprecedented challenges, a flourishing black market for counterfeit copies has emerged. Many Egyptian novelists express deep frustration with this growing trend. Readers, unable to afford original editions, are increasingly turning to pirated versions of popular books. These unauthorised copies are typically of a much lower quality, with poor printing and binding. They are sold openly at street stalls across cities, offering a cheap alternative for those priced out of traditional bookshops. This illicit trade poses a direct threat to the sustainability of the official publishing sector.

The prices for these counterfeit editions are a fraction of the official cost, generally with a price between fifty and one hundred of the local currency. This affordability makes them an attractive option for a population whose purchasing ability has been decimated by accelerating inflation. While readers may feel they are getting a bargain, the long-term consequences are severe. The growth of this parallel market drains vital revenue from authors and publishers, further destabilising an already fragile industry. It creates a vicious cycle where falling legitimate sales make it even harder for publishers to produce affordable books.

A Nation's Economic Fever

The financial hardship extends far beyond the literary world. Recent months have seen a dramatic acceleration in inflation, severely eroding the financial stability of Egyptians. This comes after citizens have already endured several years of stringent austerity policies and a series of damaging economic shocks. The nation's dependency on products from other countries has made it particularly vulnerable to a severe currency crisis. Following a string of devaluations, the Egyptian pound is now worth only fifty percent of its previous value, a stark measure of the economic collapse.

The government has stated it is implementing measures to control soaring prices. Officials primarily attribute the immense economic strain to external factors, frequently citing the conflict in Ukraine as a major cause of disruption and rising costs. However, many analysts point to long-standing domestic issues that have compounded the problem. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has acknowledged the severe economic difficulties and the suffering caused by rising prices. He has urged the public to endure the hardship, defending the government's economic reform programme as a necessary, albeit painful, course of action.

The Human Cost of Austerity

For the average Egyptian family, the economic crisis translates into difficult daily choices. A poet from the country commented that it is no surprise people are more preoccupied with securing food than with buying books. The struggle to provide daily sustenance has become the primary concern for millions. In this environment, nourishing the mind with literature is a luxury few can afford. This sentiment captures the profound human impact of the crisis, where basic survival needs eclipse cultural and intellectual pursuits. The choice is not between different luxuries, but between sustenance and everything else.

Everyday expenses have climbed steeply, placing immense pressure on household budgets. For a single person, estimated monthly costs, excluding rent, are substantial. A family of four faces an even greater financial burden. These figures highlight the immense challenge of making ends meet. The crisis affects all aspects of life, forcing families to prioritise spending in ways that were previously unimaginable. The cultural vibrancy of the nation is at risk when its people are forced to focus solely on their immediate material needs, leaving little room for the arts and literature.

A Culture of Debt

The "buy now, pay later" model is becoming a pervasive feature of Egyptian life, extending far beyond books. Many citizens now rely on credit to purchase basic necessities, including rice, oil, and medicine. The traditional debt logbook, a deferred payment system, is increasingly common, particularly in the south. Under this informal system, customers acquire essential goods and settle their accounts at the end of the month upon receiving their salaries. This method is now used for everything from groceries and clothes to Eid sacrifices and even religious pilgrimages, reflecting a society increasingly reliant on borrowing.

This shift towards a debt-based economy is driven by necessity. Purchases through instalment systems have seen a massive jump, influenced by the economic crises, high inflation, and the collapse of the local currency. Financial technology firms offering BNPL services have surged in the market, providing loans for a vast array of products and services. While these services offer a lifeline for many, they also carry risks. The increasing possibility of customers defaulting on repayments poses a threat to both lenders and the wider financial stability of a population already burdened with debt.

Voices Under Pressure     

The challenges facing Egypt's writers are not solely economic. The creative environment is also constrained by censorship and regulatory pressures. The government's oversight can create an atmosphere of unease for publishers, affecting the freedom of expression that is vital for a thriving literary culture. Publishers must navigate content restrictions and complex licensing requirements, which can delay or even prevent the release of books that touch upon sensitive social or political topics. This climate of fear and intimidation can lead to self-censorship, as publishers and authors steer clear of potentially controversial material.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly voiced concerns over the arbitrary detention of writers, journalists, and activists in Egypt. Individuals have been targeted through judicial harassment, smear campaigns, and unfair trials, often on trumped-up charges related to their work or critical views. This crackdown on freedom of expression has a chilling effect on the entire creative community. It further compounds the economic difficulties, creating a dual crisis for a literary world battling for both financial survival and the right to speak freely in a restrictive political landscape.

A Resilient Literary Heart

Despite the immense pressures, remarkable resilience continues to be shown by the Cairo International Book Fair. The most recent edition of the fair drew a record-breaking number of visitors, signalling a powerful and enduring public appetite for literature. This massive turnout, even in the face of economic hardship, suggests that the cultural significance of books remains deeply ingrained in Egyptian society. The event serves as a vital cultural festival, a meeting point for readers, writers, and publishers from throughout the Arab region and beyond, showcasing the vibrancy of the literary scene.

The fair's success offers a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom. It underscores the public's determination to engage with literature and ideas, even when disposable income is scarce. The introduction of instalment plans and other initiatives reflects the industry's adaptability and commitment to reaching readers. While the road ahead remains challenging, the passionate response to the book fair indicates that Egypt's literary heart continues to beat strongly. The industry's ability to innovate and the public's unwavering support will be crucial in navigating the turbulent times ahead and ensuring that stories continue to be told and read.