New Delhi

Demand for induction cooktops has surged sharply across India as households look for alternatives amid concerns over LPG availability during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

According to traders, sales of induction cooktops have jumped from around 1,000–2,000 units per month to nearly one to two lakh units per day, reflecting a dramatic spike in consumer demand.

Manufacturers and traders in the Delhi NCR region, a major hub for the production and trade of induction cooktops, have begun ramping up output to keep pace with orders and prevent shortages in the market.

Sanjay Nagpal, president of the Central Radio and Electronic Merchant Association, said traders recently held a meeting with manufacturers to boost production in response to the surge.

“Following the sudden surge in demand, a meeting was held with manufacturers and it was decided to increase production. Factories are planning to run overtime so that production can be increased and supplies can reach different parts of the country on time,” Nagpal told ANI.

He added that the association is also working to ensure balanced distribution across markets so that induction cooktops remain widely available and consumer panic can be avoided.

Rakesh Arora, general secretary of the association, said demand is coming from across the country as people seek alternatives to LPG.

“Traders are working with a sense of service rather than focusing on profit at this time. No black marketing or overpricing will be allowed in the market. If the cost of raw materials increases slightly, only a minimal price adjustment will be passed on to customers,” he said.

Arora added that the association’s vigilance team is monitoring the market to prevent irregularities such as hoarding or black marketing.

Retailers say the sudden demand has put pressure on supply chains.

Raunak Bhasin, a shopkeeper at Lajpat Rai Market, said sales have far exceeded normal levels.

“Earlier, we sold around 1,000 cooktops mainly during festival seasons. The current demand is overwhelming, and shops are struggling to keep up,” he said.

To prevent hoarding and black marketing, many shops are limiting the number of cooktops sold to individual customers, he added.

“Many buyers want to place large orders, but stock is insufficient. It is still unclear when the market will fully meet the rising demand,” Bhasin said.

The surge in demand comes amid concerns over LPG supply following disruptions in global energy routes during the conflict in West Asia.

In response, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise LPG supply for households, hospitals and other essential services, while restricting commercial distribution in some regions.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the situation remains under close watch.

At a recent inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) at the ministry, said that although no immediate shortages have been reported, LPG supply remains a concern due to the prevailing geopolitical situation.

“Regarding LPG supply, I would like to say that it is still a matter of concern for us in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. However, no dry-out has been reported,” Sharma said.

She also warned about a sharp rise in LPG bookings driven by panic among consumers.

“Panic booking is still happening on a very large scale. Yesterday the number of bookings was around 7.5 to 7.6 million, and now it has increased to almost 8.8 million. This is nothing but panic booking,” Sharma said.

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Appealing to citizens to avoid unnecessary bookings, she urged consumers to order LPG cylinders only when required to help maintain stable supplies during the ongoing global uncertainty.