Book fair ends with no specific info on sales figure

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 has concluded amid concerns over low customer turnout and various uncertainties. Traditionally, on the last day of the fair, Bangla Academy announces the total sales amount, but this year, no such data has been released, raising numerous questions and uncertainties.

When asked about the reason for not disclosing the total sales figures, Dr. Sarker Amin, the Member Secretary of the Book Fair Organizing Committee, declined to comment. No official from Bangla Academy could provide information on when the sales figures would be available. Additionally, the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association has not made any official statement on the matter.

Discussions with publishers revealed that sales at this year’s book fair were so low that many were reluctant to disclose their figures. Usually, at the end of the fair, publishers are asked to provide their sales data to Bangla Academy. However, this year, many publishers were hesitant to report their sales due to their disappointing earnings. Some publishers even described this year’s situation as “unprecedented” in the history of the book fair.

Publishers have expressed frustration over the poor sales performance. Reports suggest that about 95% of publishers struggled financially this year.

Maksud Howladar, the owner of Howladar Publications, stated that the overall sales were disappointing compared to the investment in stall construction, rent, and staffing costs. “Last year, I sold books worth 1.7 million taka, but by February 27 this year, I had sold only 500,000 taka worth of books.”

Prothoma Publications reported that their sales were lower this year, primarily because they specialize in political books. Due to political changes and other factors, the demand for such books declined significantly.

Several other publishing houses, including Onno Dhara, Agamee Prakashani, Mawla Brothers, and Kothaprokash, also expressed disappointment over low sales.

Authors also noted the decline in book sales.

Tapan Bagchi, a writer and researcher, stated, “I have attended the book fair every year since 1985. But this year, sales were genuinely low.”

He attributed this decline to political uncertainty, which discouraged many from publishing new books.

Mohit Kamal, a fiction writer, said that the usual family-oriented visitors were significantly lower this year.

Publishers believe the declining sales were mainly due to the country's unstable situation, which resulted in fewer visitors.

Zafirool Islam, a supply and sales officer at Kothaprokash, said, “Compared to last year, the number of visitors was significantly lower. This could be due to the country’s unstable conditions.”

Kader Babu, the publisher of Babui Publications, said “I believe sales were so low that many publishers are embarrassed to disclose their figures. Our sales were also less than half of what we achieved last year.”

Rajib Chowdhury, owner of Chaitanya Publications, noted that this year’s fair recorded the lowest sales in their participation history.

Amin Khan, head of Akshar Publications, expressed his disappointment, saying, “Last year, I sold books worth over 2 million taka. This year, it was only 1.3 million. Honestly, this year’s fair didn’t feel like a book fair—it felt like a rural marketplace.”

This year, Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan had 1,084 stalls allocated to 708 institutions. However, the total number of new books published in 2025 was 3,299, which is 452 fewer than the 3,751 new books published in 2024.