Overview
- Exporters say voyages that once took about 30 days now stretch to as long as 60 as ships detour onto safer routes.
- Container shortages have slowed both outgoing and incoming cargo, leaving many consignments stuck at ports and forcing parts of the monthly trade to pause.
- Freight bills have climbed while edible oil prices rose about 20% in the past month and packaging costs jumped 30% to 40%, squeezing manufacturers’ margins.
- Imports of key inputs such as palm oil and soybean have been hit, and traders report delayed payments and warn that retail prices could rise if the strain continues.
- Industry estimates cite 15 to 20 containers of bhujia, papad and other snacks exported each month to Gulf and European markets, a flow that normally ramps up for peak season around now.