Indore, April 3: The famous ‘crunch’ of Indore’s namkeen has become more expensive for consumers as the West Asia conflict continues to drive up the cost of production. Local industry leaders announced on Friday that retail rates for the city’s signature spicy delicacies have increased by as much as ₹20 per kg due to a spike in overheads.
The price adjustment follows a sharp rise in the cost of petroleum-based products and fuel. Packaging materials, which previously cost ₹190 per kg, are now being procured at ₹300 per kg, placing an immense burden on the 1,500 units operating within the city.
Anurag Bothra, representing the city’s Namkeen and Sweet Buyers and Sellers Welfare Association, affirmed that the geopolitical situation has made both commercial cooking gas and plastic containers significantly pricier. He stated that the doubling of container costs, combined with more expensive edible oil, left producers with no choice but to pass the costs to the public.
“The retail price of namkeen has increased by ₹10 to ₹20 per kg,” Bothra declared. He noted that the impact is particularly severe for units that lack diversified energy sources and depend entirely on commercial gas cylinders for their large-scale frying operations.
As Indore generates substantial revenue through the export of these snacks, experts are closely monitoring the situation. They asserted that the iconic industry remains at the mercy of global crude prices, with further hikes possible if the international supply chain remains under pressure.
