Middle East conflict hits Nandini supply; aqua water, ice cream shortages in Kolar

Kolar ; The impact of the ongoing Middle East War is now being felt closer home, with supply disruptions affecting Karnataka’s popular Nandini products. Despite high demand amid rising temperatures, the supply of Nandini Aqua water bottles and ice cream has been significantly affected in parts of the state, particularly in Kolar.

Consumers visiting Nandini milk booths in Kolar have expressed disappointment over the unavailability of Nandini Aqua bottled water. Known for its wide range of dairy and allied products, the Karnataka Milk Federation produces not only milk but also items such as ice cream, peda, Mysore Pak, and Dharwad peda, all of which enjoy strong demand across Karnataka and beyond. Among these, Nandini Aqua has become a preferred choice for many consumers, especially during the summer.

However, for the past two weeks, the supply of Nandini Aqua has dropped sharply. The primary reason behind the disruption is the shortage of raw materials required for manufacturing plastic bottles and packaging. KMF produces these packaging materials in-house, but the key raw materials are imported from countries like Kuwait and Iran.

Due to the ongoing conflict in the region, supply chains have been severely affected. Ships carrying essential raw materials are reportedly stuck near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for global trade. This has disrupted the transportation of materials needed for bottle production, directly impacting the availability of packaged drinking water.

The situation has worsened due to the rising summer heat across Karnataka, which has significantly increased the demand for cooling products like water and ice cream. While milk supply remains largely unaffected, the shortage of packaging materials has led to a decline in the availability of other Nandini products.

In addition to water bottles, the shortage has also impacted ice cream production, as packaging cups and related materials are also sourced from the same supply chain. As a result, ice cream stocks have reduced, leaving retailers struggling to meet consumer demand.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions have thus created a ripple effect, highlighting how global conflicts can directly impact local supply chains and consumer markets. Authorities and KMF officials are expected to explore alternative sourcing options to mitigate the shortage and restore normal supply in the coming days.