TeamFotoimpex
Dear Fotoimpex customers,
The film renaissance has now gained significant momentum – not only in Germany and Europe, but also on a global scale. The rise in demand for film is now so strong (particularly for colour film) that manufacturers such as Kodak and Fujifilm are no longer able to keep up with production. There are currently backorders totalling over 20 million rolls of film worldwide (with over 1 million of these in German-speaking markets alone). A backorder means that orders have been placed by customers (wholesalers) but have not yet been dispatched by the manufacturers (demand exceeds production). Kodak has now had to resume packaging 35mm film in three shifts around the clock. And even that is no longer sufficient to fully meet demand. To get the film to customers more quickly, Kodak is now shipping via air freight instead of the significantly cheaper, but also significantly more time-consuming, sea freight. Fujifilm is also experiencing shortages of certain films due to the sharp rise in demand.
This is also the reason why certain films are frequently sold out in our online shop and in-store: we are not receiving sufficient or timely restocks from certain manufacturers (primarily Kodak and Fujifilm). This situation is highly unlikely to change in the short term, as building up additional production capacity (particularly for film packaging) on the manufacturers’ side takes time. This is because it involves high-tech production, which is very complex. It cannot be done ‘overnight’.
We would therefore ask our customers to take potential delivery times into account when planning their film requirements and to place orders well in advance. This is particularly important if you are planning larger or important photography projects, or if you need film for your holidays.
Film manufacturers are, of course, very aware of the new challenges posed by rising demand and are investing not only in new or reintroduced products, but primarily in the modernisation and expansion of production capacity – particularly in film packaging – as well as in the training of new, highly qualified staff.
This requires a very high capital outlay. At the same time, unfortunately, the prices of many raw materials used in film production have risen disproportionately in recent years (tenfold for some raw materials), and this is despite already very low profit margins in film production.
For this reason, price increases are unfortunately unavoidable:
Fujifilm had to raise prices in spring 2019 for this reason, and Kodak Alaris is now following suit: Kodak prices will increase from 1 January 2020. The percentage increase depends on the product. According to Kodak Alaris Germany, some products will likely be unaffected or only slightly affected, whilst others will see increases of up to 30%.
Fotoimpex has now stocked up at the old prices. Once these stocks are sold out and we have to purchase at the new prices in 2020, the new price levels will be gradually reflected in the shop.
Of course, price increases are always unpopular, but in the case of film production they are absolutely necessary and form the basis for a sustainable and very positive future for film as a photographic medium. A future with expanded and modernised production at the highest technical level. And a future with an expanded range of films, including reintroduced and new films.
