Part 4/11:
Industry insiders and publishers attribute much of this crisis to pandemic-related disruptions. Shipping prices for international freight have skyrocketed—from roughly $5,000 for a 20-foot container pre-pandemic to some cases of $35,000 or even $50,000. The scarcity of raw materials like paper and printing supplies is compounded by shipment delays, pressing publishers and printers to adopt more cautious, conservative production schedules.