The ongoing conflict between Iran and the US has sent shockwaves through the global economy, and the common man is paying the price. With crude oil hitting $119 per barrel, the ripple effect has moved beyond petrol pumps to the packaged drinking water sector in India.

Price Hike by Major Brands: Industry leader Bisleri has officially increased its packaged water price by ₹11 per liter. According to Bisleri CEO Angelo George, the cost of packaging materials has skyrocketed by over 70% in just 14 days, forcing them to price the 1-liter bottle at ₹20. Following suit, other major players like Bailley and Clear Premium Water have also announced price hikes.

The Plastic Connection: The primary reason behind this surge is the rising cost of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin pellets, a crude oil derivative used to manufacture plastic bottles. As imports become costlier, the production overheads for any industry using plastic—including food delivery, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics—are expected to rise. Data for India suggests that 15% of urban and 6% of rural households rely on packaged water, making this price hike a significant concern for daily sustenance.