India, April 3 -- India's food industry is witnessing an unexpected yet decisive shift, as external disruptions intersect with evolving consumer lifestyles. The ongoing LPG shortages across several parts of the country have acted as a trigger, accelerating the adoption of ready-to-eat (RTE), ready-to-cook (RTC), and frozen food categories. What initially appeared to be a short-term response to a fuel supply crunch is now shaping into a deeper transformation in how food is accessed, prepared, and consumed.

He further points out that FMCG companies are beginning to benefit from this transition, as convenience-driven categories such as ready meals and packaged staples witness faster growth. Branded commodities like rice and wheat-based prod...