Bottled Water Prices to Rise in India as Iran War Drives Up Costs, Disrupts Packaging

• India's bottled water sector faces price hikes and supply disruptions due to the Iran conflict, impacting packaging and input costs.
• Market leader Bisleri increased prices by 11%, with other brands like Bailley and Clear Premium Water also revising rates.
• Rising crude oil prices have pushed up PET resin costs, a key material for plastic bottles, leading to a 56% increase in PET preform prices.
• Around 20% of bottle manufacturing units in Maharashtra have temporarily shut down due to supply shortages and cost constraints.
• The situation is unsustainable, and consumers may soon face higher bottled water prices, impacting a sector crucial for clean water access.