Tourism, entertainment and restaurants are the industries that most readily come to mind when discussing the impact of COVID-19 regulations on the Dutch economy and society as a whole.

The latest, and most unexpected victim, however, is the Dutch book sector.

Increased internet activity

In Europe, paper pulp is more likely to be used for packages or boxes than it is to become a book. With an unprecedented increase in online shopping and food deliveries in response to COVID-19 regulations, there is an increased demand for cardboard boxes.

Too many takeaway pizzas can (humorously) be blamed for the paper shortage in the Netherlands. This is understandable, as what better way to cope with a pandemic than with cheesy carbs and take out treats?

The publishing industry responds

Robert Jan de Rooi who is owner and director of Wilco — one of the largest printing companies in the Netherlands — says that many factories across Europe previously dedicated to printing books have switched industries to meet the demand for cardboard boxes.

Companies like Thuisbezorgd and Deliveroo saw a significant spike in the number of takeaway orders, and online shopping outlets like Amazon and Bol boomed.

Less paper for printing

According to the NOS, a pandemic-related shortage in paper pulp means less to spare for books. It seems like people in the Netherlands, and indeed the world, turned to the internet to fill their shopping needs.

This makes sense seeing as eating out was primarily restricted and window shopping all but abolished during the worst of the COVID-19 waves.

Impact on book printing

Book printers are at the so-called back of the line regarding the paper deliveries needed to manufacture books. As a result of month-long order backlogs and delivery issues, publishers have to wait for their books to reach the shelves.

Naturally, this is an unforeseen setback of increased online shopping and subsequent deliveries. Printers are left waiting longer for deliveries, and the paper market is ultimately out of balance.

Planning around the paper shortage

As a result of paper delays and pulp shortages, publishers now have to plan their releases and re-releases around the paper shortage. More books will be temporarily sold out because reprint is on the backlog. As a result, same-day delivery is out of the question for the time being.

Increased book sales

On the positive side, the book industry is doing well with the sales that they do make. According to Market researcher GfK, a total of 41 million books were sold last year, involving a turnover of almost €600 million — 6% more than in 2019.

READ MORE |8 books about the Netherlands you need to read

Books sell well in the Netherlands, and the expected turnover for books sales is nearly 5% higher in 2021.

Have you felt the impact of the Dutch paper shortage? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Featured Image: Freddie Marriage/Unsplash

The housing market in the Netherlands is breaking records — and this isn’t good news. This July, an existing owner-occupied home was 16% more expensive than in July 2020.

According to Statistics Netherlands and the Dutch Land Registry, this is the largest increase since October 2000, reports the NOS. 

The Dutch real estate association NVM points out that to get a home, buyers often have to bid €50,000 above the asking price. Sometimes, things get so extreme that experts speak of “irresponsible overbids.”

READ MORE | Bidding on a house in the Netherlands: how to win

“But if people want to pay for it, they are free to do so,” says the chairman of NVM, Onno Hoes.

Too few houses?

The supply of homes in the Netherlands is running dry and NVM is urging the Dutch government to solve the problem. 

READ MORE | Could €20 billion from the government solve the Netherlands’ housing shortage?

However, the housing shortage is not the only explanation for soaring housing prices — there are financial causes as well. 

According to De Nederlandsche Bank, one factor contributing to higher housing prices is cheap home financing. 

Generous tax benefits for homeowners are another factor leading to a higher demand for owner-occupied homes, highlights the International Monetary Fund. 

What’s your experience with the Dutch housing market? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: innervision/Depositphotos

In the Netherlands, €1 is considered the symbolic benchmark for the maximum cost of a cubic metre of gas. However, prices surpassed that earlier this week — meaning it’s never been so expensive to heat your house.

With prices above the €1 mark, the average household in the Netherlands may pay up to €1,500 on heating costs on a yearly basis, reports NU.nl.

READ MORE | The cost of living in the Netherlands in 2021

Suppliers concerned there won’t be enough gas for the winter

One of the reasons for the increase in gas prices is the weather. (No joke, there’s always a reason to complain about the Dutch weather! 😂).

Essentially, the relatively cold winter and spring led people to keep their heating on for longer — and hence used more gas throughout the year. As a result, Dutch gas storage facilities are emptier than in previous years.

According to Martien Visser, who is professor of energy transition at Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen and an expert in energy supply, gas stores would normally be about 80% full this time of year.

However, they’re currently only half full.

The half-empty stores cause energy suppliers to hike up prices as they’re concerned they won’t be replenished in time for the winter.

READ MORE | 10 dang smart ways to save on energy costs in the Netherlands

Gas diverted elsewhere

What do Russia, the Middle East, and a malfunctioning processing plant have in common?

In short, they’ve all affected gas prices in the Netherlands.

However, as much as we love to blame the Dutch weather for things, it’s not entirely to blame for your high energy bills.

International developments, such as Russia pursuing different routes for its pipeline, mean less gas is coming from other parts of the world to the Netherlands (and Europe in general).

Gas from the Middle East and the US is also being diverted away from Europe. Specifically, a rapidly increasing demand for gas in Asia is pushing prices up in that part of the world and, resultingly, suppliers are more likely to sell their gas there.

An analysis from ABM AMRO also shows that a malfunction in a gas processing plant has affected the price hike.

Price increase is most noticible for consumers entering new energy contracts

If you have a permanent energy contract that’s continuing for another few years, you won’t notice the new gas prices. Instead, you continue to pay the agreed-upon rate.

However, almost half of the consumers in the Netherlands have variable energy contracts. According to those contracts, gas prices are adjusted every six months (on January 1 and July 1). While there was a slight price hike on July 1, gas prices are even higher now.

It’s not certain what consumers should expect prices to look like on January 1, but ABNA Amro foresees that the price level remains elevated until 2022.

READ MORE | Gas, electricity, water and more: ultimate guide to utilities in the Netherlands

Taxes could play a big role

The predictions by ABM Amro, however, are only half of the story.

While the bank analyses the purchasing price of suppliers, the rate consumers pay for their gas is elevated by taxes. In fact, half the price paid by consumers in the Netherlands is tax.

According to Martien Visser it’s not clear which direction the Dutch government want to take those taxes: “There are parties that want even higher taxes to stimulate the transition to sustainable energy sources. If the gas price for consumers is high, it also pays off faster to insulate the house.”

Have you noticed gas prices going up? And what do you think of a potential tax increase? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: AndreyPopov/Depositphotos