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Ready-to-Eat food sales surge on Amazon as LPG shortage hits Indian kitchens
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Saturday, 21 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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As a persistent LPG shortage disrupts traditional cooking across India, consumers are rapidly pivoting toward convenience. Amazon India has reported a significant spike in demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) meals and packaged foods, with key categories recording over 15% growth in recent weeks.
The surge is driven by a domestic fuel crunch linked to global supply chain disruptions in West Asia. According to industry data, India’s LPG consumption dropped by 17.7% in the first half of March compared to the previous month. With the Strait of Hormuz—a vital transit point for 60% of India's LPG imports—facing transit issues, many households are struggling to secure regular cylinder refills, leading to a shift in dietary habits.
An Amazon India spokesperson confirmed that the demand for "minimal-cook" solutions is not limited to metros like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Significant traction is also being seen in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, including Sonipat, Panaji, and Guwahati.
The trend is most aggressive on Amazon’s quick commerce vertical, Amazon Now, which has seen a 20% month-on-month increase in sales for instant noodles, snacks, and pre-packaged meals. To capitalize on this shift, the e-commerce giant has launched a dedicated "Ready to Eat Store" to consolidate high-quality meal solutions in one digital storefront.
While instant options are booming, the platform also noted sustained momentum in planned grocery purchases. "We are seeing a balanced consumer shift," the spokesperson added. "Shoppers are stocking up on essentials like staples and oils while simultaneously relying on instant meals to navigate the current fuel uncertainty."
In response to the crisis, the central government has prioritized LPG supplies for household kitchens and is fast-tracking the rollout of piped gas networks to ease the pressure on commercial and domestic fuel availability. For now, however, the "instant meal" has become a vital bridge for the Indian kitchen.
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