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LPG shortage cripples Agra’s historic Petha industry, manufacturers face closure
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Tuesday, 17 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The world-famous petha industry of Agra, known for its iconic ash gourd sweets, is staring at a massive production crisis as a severe shortage of commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) threatens to shut down hundreds of manufacturing units.
The supply crunch, exacerbated by the ongoing West Asia conflict and recent government directives prioritizing domestic gas use, has left manufacturers with less than 40% of their required fuel. Rajesh Agrawal, Secretary of the Noori Darwaza Petha Union, stated that the industry is at a breaking point. Without a steady supply of commercial cylinders, the traditional open-fire cooking process required to crystallize the sweets has become nearly impossible to sustain.
While some large-scale food processors in other regions have begun transitioning to electrical equipment or biofuels, Agra’s petha makers face unique hurdles. Most units operate out of heritage clusters like Noori Darwaza, where narrow lanes and aging infrastructure make it difficult to install high-capacity electrical grids or large-scale biomass boilers. Furthermore, artisans argue that the specific high-heat consistency required for authentic petha is difficult to replicate with current induction technology.
The crisis has already led to a 50% drop in daily production, impacting the livelihoods of over 50,000 workers, including seasonal laborers and local farmers who supply the raw ash gourd. Wholesale prices of the sweet have jumped by 20% in the last week as manufacturers struggle to cover the rising costs of procurement from the black market.
Industry bodies have petitioned the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for an emergency quota for the GI-tagged craft. If the shortage persists through the upcoming festival season, exporters warn that one of India’s most recognizable culinary exports could see a permanent contraction, forcing many third-generation confectioners to exit the business entirely.
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