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India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Why Parle-G Costs Rs 2,300 In Gaza? Viral Video Reveals Food Crisis Plight
A video going viral of a Palestinian dad handing over a packet of India's favourite Parle-G biscuits to his daughter has highlighting the severe food crisis in Gaza, where the cost of the biscuit has risen to Rs 2,300 because of the ongoing Israel-Palestine war. Viral Video Sparks Global Attention On June 6, a resident of Gaza named Mohammed Jawad uploaded a video on X wherein he is giving his daughter, Rafif, a packet of Parle-G, her favourite biscuit. In the caption, Jawad had written, "After a long wait, I finally got Rafif her favourite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from €1.5 to over €24, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favourite treat." The video, which showed the outrageous price tag of the otherwise low-priced biscuit, went viral, leaving viewers who were used to Parle-G's usual Rs 100 price point in foreign markets speechless. June 1, 2025 Food Scarcity Drives Price Surge The Gaza conflict has resulted in critical food shortages, with prices of common items such as Parle-G taking a dramatic rise. Normally costing Rs 100 for a packet worldwide, the biscuit is now available for up to Rs 2,342 in Gaza because of low availability and broken import channels. The crisis has rendered even staple items scarce, worsening the plight of civilians in the conflict area. Online Reactions And Calls For Aid The clip elicited mass reactions on X, with people shocked and empathising. A user named India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, pleading, "The baby is having India's favourite biscuit. May we send more Parle-G to Palestine? These are glucose biscuits and will ease the civilian population." Another said, "Rafif deserves all the biscuits she wants, be safe family," capturing the emotional impact of the story. Wider Gaza Crisis Context The Parle-G price hike reflected the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where conflict has ravaged food supply chains, driving up prices and leaving families scrambling to afford even basic foodstuffs. As matters deteriorate, demands for international intervention, including food aid, remain on the increase. Parle Products, the manufacturer of Parle-G, has yet to make a comment on the viral video or the Gaza situation. This article will be updated if a statement is made.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
NDTV Exclusive: How Rs 5 Indian Biscuit Is Being Sold For Rs 2,400 In Gaza
New Delhi: Parle-G biscuits, a staple in Indian households, associated with childhood, tea breaks, and low-cost nutrition, were never intended to be a luxury. But in wartorn Gaza, where food scarcity has turned into acute famine, they are being sold at nearly 500 times their original price. In a recent viral post from Gaza, a man claimed that Parle G biscuits, manufactured by Mumbai-headquartered Parle Products, are being sold for over 24 euros (Rs 2,342). Many on social media were baffled by the cost of the biscuits that have consistently been among the cheapest foods in the Indian market. "After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from 1.5 euros to over 24 euros, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat," the viral post read. After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from €1.5 to over €24, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat. — Mohammed jawad 🇵🇸 (@Mo7ammed_jawad6) June 1, 2025 A Manufactured Famine Following the October 2023 escalation and Israel's military campaign that began shortly thereafter, Gaza's access to food has been systematically reduced. Between March 2 and May 19 this year, the besieged Palestinian enclave faced a near-total blockade. Only a limited number of humanitarian trucks were allowed through, most of them after intense international pressure. Israel, which accuses Hamas, the political and militant group within Gaza, of seizing and weaponising aid, had suspended traditional UN food deliveries. Instead, a controversial and heavily criticised alternative was introduced on May 27 - the Secure Distribution Site 1 (SDS1) model, developed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which, according to the French daily Le Monde, is a joint initiative backed by the US, Switzerland, and Israel. The SDS1, located in Rafah, features caged corridors forcing Palestinians into narrow queues, guarded perimeters manned by Safe Reach Solutions, a US-based private security firm, which has been accused of carrying out intelligence operations in Gaza using Israeli data. But how much aid reaches the truly hungry? How many aid boxes are being sold on the black market for inflated prices? The Black Market Reality The steep pricing is not limited to Parle-G, which is an export from a country located roughly 4,300 km away. "The problem isn't with the original suppliers or taxation," Dr. Khaled Alshawwa, a 31-year-old surgeon based in Gaza City, told NDTV. "These goods usually enter Gaza as humanitarian aid, free of charge. But only a minority receives them. Scarcity turns them into high-priced black market goods." Mr Alshawwa, managed to get his hands on a packet of Parle-G biscuits, which he said cost him roughly Rs 240. Different locations, different prices depending on who the seller is. "The closure of borders for more than three months now has allowed only a scarce amount of very basic needs that don't meet the needs of 2 million people. So when some people are able to get some, or when looting happens, these foods are being sold at very high, unaffordable prices." Dr Alshawwa told NDTV. Parle-G, it appears, likely arrived through aid shipments, eventually landing in the hands of a few vendors who sold it at prices unreachable to most Gazans. NDTV has reached out to the company for a statement. A rough breakdown of current market prices (in INR) of some important products from northern Gaza as of June 6, 2025: 1 kg sugar: Rs 4,914 1 litre cooking oil: Rs 4,177 1 kg potatoes: Rs 1,965 1 kg onions: Rs 4,423 1 coffee cup: Rs 1,800 A list sourced by NDTV from Gaza shows basic commodities and groceries being sold at exorbitant prices. The prices are mentioned in the new Israeli shekel. the local currency. One Israeli shekel translates to 24.57 Indian rupees Why Parle-G Matters Parle-G is more than food. It is nostalgia wrapped in paper. Launched in 1938, the biscuit emerged during India's Swadeshi movement as a local alternative to elite British snacks. It became a national equaliser, a biscuit anyone could afford. Over the decades, Parle-G has managed to retain its low price tag thanks to 'shrinkflation' economics - reducing weight while maintaining price. A Rs 5 packet that once held 100 grams now contains about 55 grams. Still, it remains among the cheapest packaged food products in India. In 2013, Parle-G became the first Indian FMCG brand to cross Rs 5,000 crore in sales. By 2011, it was the world's largest selling biscuit by volume, according to Nielsen.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Companies pause packaged food price hikes as input costs stabilise
New Delhi: Makers of grocery staples such as snacks, biscuits and tea have paused price hikes after three back-to-back quarters of 5-10% increases across pack sizes, as key commodity prices like palm oil and wheat stabilise. Executives at companies such as Britannia, Wipro Consumer, Parle Products and Bikaji Foods said they are pausing price increases. Some said they are also bringing back selective consumer promotions to boost sales even as urban demand remains under stress, their executives said. "(While) we see no price reduction or grammage increase in the next couple of quarters, there will be no more price increases for sure," Varun Berry, managing director of Britannia Industries , told ET. While the maker of Nutrichoice biscuits and Laughing Cow cheese did some strategic buying of wheat and flour, most of its commodities are priced at the same level as at the end of FY25, he said. "Flour is just slightly lower than the exit price of last year despite the wheat season," he added. Deepak Agarwal, MD, Bikaji Foods, too, said the snacks firm would not increase prices as some inflation is under control and raw material costs are reducing. "Selective consumer offerings and promotions will be reintroduced to get better market share and momentum," he added. Companies making daily essentials and grocery products had been increasing prices by 5-10% on higher raw material costs while maintaining that they withheld some of the cost pressures amid stagnating sales in cities. With food inflation expected to remain low, company executives expect their retail prices to remain steady. "Core inflation will likely remain range-bound, led by weaker commodity prices, softer growth and a stronger rupee," HSBC Research said in a report released on Monday. This, it said, is a relief for consumers and "may fuel the purchasing power of households." Anil Chugh, president, food business, at Wipro Consumer Care , said the overall food inflation is expected to remain in the region of 3-4% in the coming two quarters. "This is because of commodity prices stabilising, expected good monsoon and companies taking cautious approach to price increases," he said. Wipro Consumer Care makes Nirapara ready-to-cook foods and Granamma snacks. "For 3 quarters, prices were increasing," said Mayank Shah, vice president at Parle Products. "Now the hikes have been paused as some commodities are stable. Some key commodities are still higher than a year ago, but what's happened is that the rate of inflation has come down for now." The food inflation rate dropped to 1.78% year-on-year in April 2025, compared to a year-on-year Consumer Food Price Index of 10.87% in October 2024, according to government data. "Going forward, we expect tea pricing/ tea costs to soften rather than pricing going up (if the tea crop is normal). So, therefore, margins will come back," Sunil D'Souza, managing director, Tata Consumer Products , said in a quarter four post earnings call. NielsenIQ in its January-March quarter update earlier this month had said the FMCG industry grew 11% year-on-year by value, driven by a 5.6% price hike. Growth of packaged foods slowed to 4.9% in the January-March quarter compared to 6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, which the report attributed to declining lower volumes in edible oils and palm oil, impacted by higher prices. The past three quarters had seen surging prices of wheat (which increased 17.4% year-on-year in the March quarter), palm oil (17.2%) and cocoa (78%).
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Companies pause packaged food price hikes as input costs stabilise
New Delhi: Makers of grocery staples such as snacks, biscuits and tea have paused price hikes after three back-to-back quarters of 5-10% increases across pack sizes, as key commodity prices like palm oil and wheat stabilise. Executives at companies such as Britannia, Wipro Consumer, Parle Products and Bikaji Foods said they are pausing price increases. Some said they are also bringing back selective consumer promotions to boost sales even as urban demand remains under stress, their executives said. "(While) we see no price reduction or grammage increase in the next couple of quarters, there will be no more price increases for sure," Varun Berry, managing director of Britannia Industries , told ET. While the maker of Nutrichoice biscuits and Laughing Cow cheese did some strategic buying of wheat and flour, most of its commodities are priced at the same level as at the end of FY25, he said. "Flour is just slightly lower than the exit price of last year despite the wheat season," he added. Deepak Agarwal, MD, Bikaji Foods, too, said the snacks firm would not increase prices as some inflation is under control and raw material costs are reducing. "Selective consumer offerings and promotions will be reintroduced to get better market share and momentum," he added. Companies making daily essentials and grocery products had been increasing prices by 5-10% on higher raw material costs while maintaining that they withheld some of the cost pressures amid stagnating sales in cities. With food inflation expected to remain low, company executives expect their retail prices to remain steady. "Core inflation will likely remain range-bound, led by weaker commodity prices, softer growth and a stronger rupee," HSBC Research said in a report released on Monday. This, it said, is a relief for consumers and "may fuel the purchasing power of households." Anil Chugh, president, food business, at Wipro Consumer Care , said the overall food inflation is expected to remain in the region of 3-4% in the coming two quarters. "This is because of commodity prices stabilising, expected good monsoon and companies taking cautious approach to price increases," he said. Wipro Consumer Care makes Nirapara ready-to-cook foods and Granamma snacks. "For 3 quarters, prices were increasing," said Mayank Shah, vice president at Parle Products. "Now the hikes have been paused as some commodities are stable. Some key commodities are still higher than a year ago, but what's happened is that the rate of inflation has come down for now." The food inflation rate dropped to 1.78% year-on-year in April 2025, compared to a year-on-year Consumer Food Price Index of 10.87% in October 2024, according to government data. "Going forward, we expect tea pricing/ tea costs to soften rather than pricing going up (if the tea crop is normal). So, therefore, margins will come back," Sunil D'Souza, managing director, Tata Consumer Products , said in a quarter four post earnings call. NielsenIQ in its January-March quarter update earlier this month had said the FMCG industry grew 11% year-on-year by value, driven by a 5.6% price hike. Growth of packaged foods slowed to 4.9% in the January-March quarter compared to 6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, which the report attributed to declining lower volumes in edible oils and palm oil, impacted by higher prices. The past three quarters had seen surging prices of wheat (which increased 17.4% year-on-year in the March quarter), palm oil (17.2%) and cocoa (78%).
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Border tensions spark a pantry rush
Residents of border areas in Punjab , Jammu and Kashmir , Rajasthan and Gujarat have started stocking up essentials, fearing disruption in supplies with the India-Pakistan tensions escalating in the past three days, companies and traders said. Meanwhile, Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi advised people not to fall prey to misleading reports on food stocks, assuring that the country has stocks many times higher than the normal requirement, whether it is rice, wheat, or pulses such as chana, tur, masoor, or moong. "There is absolutely no shortage, and citizens are advised not to panic or rush to the markets to purchase food grains," he wrote in a post on X. Companies like ITC , Parle Products, Amul and AWL Agri Business are ramping up supplies of atta, pulses, edible oil, biscuits and packaged foods such instant noodles in these markets, as distributors and retailers are buying 15-20% more stock than usual to meet increased demand, industry executives said. Demand has gone up in the north-eastern border states as well. For staples like wheat and pulses, traders have started stocking for 2-3 months instead of the usual 15-30 days. Wholesale prices of imported commodities such as pulses have already increased by '1-2 per kg as traders fear supply disruptions, industry executives said. "We have seen some surge in demand in the border states, especially in Punjab for fresh and packaged items. People are making advance purchases of essential items," said Jayen Mehta, MD, Amul. He said consumers should not panic as the company has capabilities to provide milk round the clock. AWL Agri Business, India's largest packaged edible oil manufacturer, has 15 warehouses in North from where it can easily move stock to other places if there are shortages, said chief executive Angshu Mallick. Parle Products vice president Mayank Shah said there is almost 15% increased order from distributors from the border states, especially the markets close to the borders, for its products like biscuits. "Distributors are saying consumers are stocking up fearing disruption in supplies in case the tension further escalates," he said. In his post, minister Joshi warned that anyone indulging in hoarding or stockpiling would be prosecuted under the Essential Commodities Act . He asked traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities which engage in the trading of essential commodities to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. In Chandigarh, the administration on Friday issued an order prohibiting hoarding of essential commodities like food items and fuel by retailers, traders, wholesalers and business entities, since there is an "artificial scarcity, abnormal price rise and potential law and order issues." After India's Operation Sindoor striking terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, Islamabad attempted to engage a number of military targets in northern and western India in past two days, including in Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Chandigarh and Bhuj using drones and missiles, as per a defence ministry release. While India neutralised these attempts, the development has affected normal life in these places, pushing people to stock up. Some of the pantry buying is also fuelled by unscrupulous social media posts which appeal to stock up on daily essentials such as food, medicines and cash. "There is huge demand for staples like atta and suji from the affected places. Usually, people buy one 5 kg or 10 kg pack of atta, but now they are buying 2-3 packs," said Navneet Chitlangia, president of the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India. A senior executive of a leading food and grocery retail chain said panic buying is also happening in north-eastern states.
