- Indian consumers could face higher beer prices and potential supply disruptions due to a gas shortage linked to the Middle East conflict.
- The conflict has led to a significant surge in the cost of glass bottles, shipping delays for aluminium, and increased prices for other essential packaging materials.
- India, a major natural gas importer, is particularly susceptible as Iranian attacks have partially hampered Qatar's export capacity, tightening gas availability for manufacturers.
- The Brewers Association of India, representing major brands like Heineken and Carlsberg, is seeking price increases of 12-15% from states to offset escalating production costs.
- Price adjustments in India's tightly regulated alcohol sector require state approval, and brewers warn that maintaining supplies will be difficult in states that do not authorise increases, with similar impacts already affecting the bottled water market.
IN FULL
