Overview
- Conflict in West Asia has choked LPG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting commercial supplies to restaurants across Indian cities.
- Delhi’s food supplies minister said business allocations rose to 50% of average use, lifting daily allotments from 1,800 to 4,500 cylinders, yet many outlets still report empty racks.
- Black-market prices have surged, with cylinders that usually cost ₹1,000–1,500 now selling for ₹3,000–4,500, and some Mumbai owners citing ₹4,000–6,000.
- Small eateries in Delhi and Goa are trimming menus or shifting to coal, wood, or induction, which slows cooking and has led to layoffs and dropped fried items.
- Restaurants that already rely on induction, clay ovens, deck ovens, or wood report steady service, underscoring how a chokepoint that carries nearly 90% of India’s LPG can upend the informal food economy.