In India, amid a severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas, demand is growing for traditional fuels, including firewood and dried cow dung.
The crisis was triggered by disruptions in LPG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in the Middle East. Reuters and other outlets report that India, where about 65% of cooking fuel relies on imports, is facing one of the most serious gas crises in recent decades, and authorities have already restricted industrial consumption to prioritize supplying households.
Amid the shortage, Indian media are reporting that some households and small businesses are returning to cheaper and more accessible fuel sources. In particular, the Times of India writes about the shift to coal, firewood, and kerosene in Jamshedpur, while Bloomberg notes a rise in biofuel sales.
According to the Times of India, commercial consumers in several Indian cities have faced a sharp rise in LPG prices, and supplies have either been cut or partially diverted to the black market. This has already led to higher costs for restaurants, bakeries, and small retailers, and some businesses have been forced to seek alternatives to gas.
