Induction cooktops fly off shelves as LPG supply crunch drives households to electric alternatives

A sharp surge in demand for electric cooking appliances is sweeping across India as households rush to secure alternatives amid a deepening LPG supply disruption linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. 

Retailers and e-commerce platforms say induction cooktops, electric kettles, and electric cookers are witnessing an unprecedented spike in sales as consumers hedge against potential shortages and rising LPG prices. 

An Amazon India spokesperson said the surge has been particularly strong over the past two days. “Over the last two days, sales of induction cooktops have increased over 30X, while rice cookers and electric pressure cookers are seeing a 4X increase. Air fryers and multi-use kettles are also seeing a 2X increase in sales over a regular day. Customers are using Amazon Now to get similar products within minutes in parts of Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.” 

Electronics retailer Croma has also reported a sharp uptick in demand across stores and online channels.

“At Croma, we have observed a sharp and immediate uptick in demand for induction cooktops over the past few days. Our average daily run rate has surged significantly. Interestingly, we are also seeing customers purchase multiple units at a time, which was not common earlier, indicating some precautionary buying,” said Shibashish Roy, CEO and MD of Infiniti Retail Ltd, which operates the Croma retail chain. 

Roy added that demand is rising across adjacent appliance categories as well. “Alongside induction cooktops, we are also witnessing a rise in demand for electric kettles, with sales nearly doubling compared to the regular run rate.” 

E-commerce platforms see unprecedented spike 

E-commerce platforms are reporting a similar trend. According to a Flipkart spokesperson, induction cooktops have quickly shifted from being a discretionary kitchen upgrade to an essential appliance for many households. 

“The prevailing global condition has led to the induction cooktop from a ‘kitchen upgrade’ into a ‘survival necessity’ for many households. We are seeing an unprecedented surge in induction sales driven by a combination of soaring costs and physical supply shortages of LPG,” the spokesperson said.

Sales volumes have quadrupled over the past four to five days compared with the preceding three to four weeks, with particularly sharp spikes in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and parts of Uttar Pradesh as consumers seek to secure backup cooking options. 

The surge in demand has also begun to strain inventories. On quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart, multiple models of induction cooktops were listed as sold out across cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai. 

Industry executives say the shift reflects the vulnerability of India’s kitchen ecosystem, which remains heavily dependent on LPG. 

“India’s kitchen ecosystem continues to be heavily dependent on LPG. However, during periods of disruption in LPG supply or delays in cylinder availability, the market seeks alternative cooking solutions, such as induction cooktops,” Roy said. “Induction cooktops and electric kettles are increasingly being viewed as reliable and convenient alternatives and there is a present momentum in adoption of electric cooking solutions across households.” 

What triggered the LPG supply disruption? 

The current LPG supply crunch has been triggered by disruptions in global energy flows following escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. India imports roughly 62–67% of its LPG requirements, making it highly dependent on overseas supplies. 

Nearly 85–90% of those imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route that has now been severely disrupted. Output cuts by major Gulf exporters such as Iraq and Kuwait have further tightened supplies. 

The commercial food sector is already feeling the pressure. In Mumbai, industry estimates suggest around 20% of eateries have temporarily shut down due to cooking gas shortages, while as many as 50–60% could face closure in the coming days if supplies fail to stabilise.

While authorities are prioritising LPG supply for households, prices have already moved higher. 

On March 7, LPG cylinder prices rose by ₹60, pushing the price in Delhi to around ₹913.

The government has stepped in to manage the situation by invoking emergency powers and directing refiners to ramp up LPG production, while also tightening oversight of cylinder distribution to curb hoarding and ensure supplies reach households. 

For appliance makers and retailers, the sudden spike in demand signals how quickly consumer behaviour can shift when energy supply disruptions ripple through household essentials. Induction cooktops—once seen largely as a secondary kitchen appliance—are rapidly becoming a fallback solution for millions of households navigating uncertainty in cooking fuel availability.