Demand for ready-to-eat meals, instant noodles, snacks, and packaged foods has risen sharply on Amazon India, with the company reporting more than 15% growth across convenience food categories amid the ongoing LPG supply crunch affecting households and foodservice operators across the country.
According to the company, the rise in demand is visible not only in metros such as Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai but also in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, including Sonipat and Panaji, indicating a broad consumer shift toward quick and easy meal solutions during the fuel shortage.
“Over the past few weeks, we have seen consistent growth in demand for convenient, ready-to-consume meal solutions that require minimal cooking time. Categories such as instant noodles, packaged meals, snacks, and beverages are seeing over 15% growth on our platform,” an Amazon India spokesperson said.
The surge has been even stronger on Amazon’s quick-delivery service Amazon Now, where sales of ready-to-eat and packaged foods have increased nearly 20% month-on-month. The trend is particularly visible in parts of Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where consumers are relying more on fast delivery for immediate consumption needs.
At the same time, Amazon said it is also witnessing steady demand for planned grocery purchases, with staples, edible oils, beverages, dry fruits, and nuts continuing to perform strongly. The company noted that consumers are balancing instant convenience with stocking essential items.
To cater to the growing demand, Amazon India has introduced a curated Ready-to-Eat Store on its platform, bringing together packaged meal options and quick-cook products in one place.
The increase in demand for packaged foods comes amid a disruption in LPG supply, which has affected both households and commercial kitchens. Preliminary industry data shows LPG consumption in India fell nearly 18% in the first half of March compared with the same period last year, following supply constraints linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
India imports around 60% of its LPG requirements, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making supplies vulnerable to global conflicts and shipping disruptions.
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the government has asked refineries to ramp up domestic production and prioritise household supply, while commercial users such as hotels and restaurants initially faced restrictions before the partial restoration of supply.
Industry observers say the current situation has accelerated an already growing trend toward ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods in India, driven by urban lifestyles, smaller households, and the rapid expansion of e-commerce and quick commerce platforms.
If the LPG shortage continues, analysts expect packaged foods, frozen snacks, and instant meal categories to see sustained growth, especially in urban markets where consumers increasingly depend on convenience-led consumption.