West Asia Conflict Disrupts Bikaner’s Namkeen Exports, Costs Surge

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has begun to significantly impact exporters in Rajasthan’s Bikaner region, with shipments of popular food items such as bhujia, papad, and spices facing major disruptions. Known for its thriving namkeen industry, Bikaner exports large quantities of snacks and spices to Gulf countries and parts of Europe. However, traders report that the conflict has led to shipment delays, rising freight charges, and container shortages, severely affecting both exports and imports.

Exporters say logistical challenges have intensified in recent weeks, with transit times nearly doubling from around 30 days to up to 60 days due to rerouted and safer shipping paths. Ashish Agarwal, a trader associated with the Bhikharam group, noted that escalating input and logistics costs are putting pressure on the industry. Edible oil prices have surged by nearly 20 percent in the past month, while packaging costs have risen by 30–40 percent due to increasing petroleum prices, directly impacting production expenses.

The disruption has also affected the import of key raw materials such as palm oil and soybean, further straining the supply chain. Exporters warn that this is a critical period for the namkeen trade, as preparations for peak export season are typically underway. With around 15–20 containers of snacks and nearly 60 containers of other goods exported monthly from Bikaner, a significant portion of consignments is now stalled at ports or in transit. Traders caution that if the situation persists, it could deal a serious blow to the city’s export-driven economy, already burdened by rising costs and delayed payments.

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