provider vs producer

[Ross]

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #45 "At the Office (1)", question 2

The main ......... of stationery for the office suddenly announced there would be an overall increase in their prices.

(a) provision
(b) producer
(c) provisional
(d) provider

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #45 "At the Office (1)", answer 2

The main provider of stationery for the office suddenly announced there would be an overall increase in their prices.

Correct answer: (d) provider

Your answer was: incorrect
The main producer of stationery for the office suddenly announced there would be an overall increase in their prices.
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Hi, why not "producer".

Thanks
Ross

[Mister Micawber]

.
Offices don't normally order from manufacturers; they order from distributors. In addition, 'producer' is more often used of non-manufactured items like pork bellies, oil and aluminium.
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber