Traders said the ongoing conflict in West Asia has started affecting exporters in Bikaner region, where shipments of popular food items such as bhujiya, papad and spices to Gulf and European countries are facing severe disruptions.
Bikaner, known for its namkeen industry, exports large quantities of snacks, spices and other products to countries in the Gulf region and Europe.
But exporters said the war had led to delays, high shipping costs and a shortage of containers, affecting exports and imports.
What do exporters say?
Escalating input and logistics costs are hurting the industry, said Ashish Agarwal, a namkeen trader associated with Bekharam Group.
He added, “Shipping fees have risen sharply due to the war, and the prices of raw materials are rising. The cost of edible oil has risen by about 20 percent in the past month, which has directly affected production.”
Exporters said container movement has slowed significantly, with shipments that previously took about 30 days now taking up to 60 days due to longer and safer routes being taken amid the conflict.
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Incoming and outgoing shipments are facing delays, increasing financial pressure on traders, said Rajesh Jindal, one of the exporters.
He said: “Incoming and outgoing goods are delayed, and costs have increased significantly. Demand for Bikaneri snacks and spices remains strong in Arab countries, but supply chain disruptions are causing losses.”
Import of raw materials is affected
Besides exports, imports of key raw materials, such as palm oil and soybeans, were also affected, traders said.
High oil prices have increased packaging costs by 30 to 40 percent, increasing the burden on manufacturers.
Exporters said the current period is crucial for namkeen trade, as preparations for the peak export season usually begin around this time.
However, uncertainty over delivery timelines and increasing shipping fees has forced merchants to rethink their strategies.
According to industry estimates, around 15 to 20 containers of bhujias, papads and namkeens are exported every month from Bikaner, besides nearly 60 containers of other goods. At present, a major chunk of this trade has come to a standstill, with consignments worth crores of rupees reportedly stuck at ports or in transit.
Shipments from Bikaner are routed via sea to several countries, such as Iran, Iraq, Oman, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as European countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Traders warned that if the situation persists, it could have a major impact on the city’s export-driven economy, with companies already suffering from rising costs and delayed payments.
