Middle East War: Even water will become expensive in India! New crisis looms after LPG price rise

New Delhi: The ongoing war in the Middle East is now impacting India's packaged drinking water market. Rising global oil prices and supply chain disruptions are rapidly increasing the cost of bottled water. Industry sources say this could directly impact consumers' pockets in the coming days.

What about packaged water market?

According to reports, India's packaged water market is estimated to be worth approximately $5 billion and is among the fastest-growing markets in the world. Experts say groundwater quality remains a major challenge in the country. Research suggests that approximately 70 percent of India's groundwater is contaminated in some form, leaving a large population dependent on bottled water for safe drinking water.

Rising cost pressures on the industry just before the summer season are causing concern. Several packaged water companies have informed their distributors in letters that raw material prices are rising sharply due to the war. Consequently, some companies have already begun increasing prices at the distribution level.

What about price of polymers?

According to industry data, the price of polymers used to make plastic bottles has risen significantly. Polymers are made from crude oil and are directly impacted by rising global oil prices. In recent weeks, the cost of bottle-making materials has increased by approximately 50 percent per kilogram.

Not only the bottle itself, but also the prices of caps, labels, and packaging materials are rising rapidly. According to the industry, the price of bottle caps has more than doubled. Corrugated boxes, labels, and adhesive tape used for packaging have also increased significantly.

Industry experts say that if global oil prices continue to rise and the supply chain does not improve, retail bottled water prices may increase in the coming months. This could prove to be an additional financial burden for consumers who rely on bottled water during the scorching heat.