Aluminium Shortage Hits India: 13 Crore Unit Deficit Looms

A significant supply deficit in the Indian beverage market is emerging as domestic aluminium can production fails to keep pace with demand. Shortfalls from major suppliers, including Ball and CANPACK, have created a projected deficit of 12 to 13 crore units. This supply gap threatens to disrupt a domestic beer and beverage market valued at approximately ₹11,500 crore.

Production Bottlenecks and Input Costs

The current shortage stems from a combination of rising input costs and constrained manufacturing capacity among primary suppliers. As the price of raw aluminium fluctuates, producers have struggled to maintain consistent output levels to meet the seasonal demand spikes typical of the Indian beverage industry. The inability of domestic suppliers to scale production rapidly has left beverage manufacturers with limited inventory buffers.

This supply chain friction is particularly acute for the beer sector, which relies heavily on aluminium packaging for distribution. Because beverage companies operate on high-volume, low-margin models, the inability to secure sufficient packaging directly limits their ability to fulfill retail orders. The reliance on a concentrated group of suppliers means that any operational slowdown at these facilities creates an immediate ripple effect across the broader consumer goods landscape.

Market Impact and Inventory Pressures

Beverage companies are now facing the prospect of lost sales during peak consumption windows. With inventories tightening, manufacturers are forced to evaluate alternative packaging formats or accept reduced market penetration. The situation is compounded by the capital-intensive nature of expanding can manufacturing lines, which prevents a quick resolution to the current deficit.

AlphaScala data reflects the broader volatility within this sector. BALL stock page currently holds an Alpha Score of 45/100, reflecting a mixed outlook as the company navigates these global supply chain pressures. Similarly, AS stock page maintains an Alpha Score of 47/100, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by firms within the consumer cyclical sector as they manage input cost volatility.

For further context on how broader industrial metal trends influence manufacturing, see our commodities analysis. The next critical marker for this market will be the quarterly production guidance from major can suppliers and any adjustments to import duties on aluminium, which could provide a pathway to alleviate the current domestic supply bottleneck. If domestic output does not stabilize, beverage manufacturers will likely be forced to pivot toward glass or plastic alternatives to maintain shelf presence, potentially altering long-term packaging cost structures.