Bengaluru: A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in the city has led to an unexpected surge in firewood sales, with several eateries and street food vendors turning to traditional fuel sources to keep their kitchens operational.

The demand has particularly increased in areas known for selling timber and firewood, as businesses struggle to obtain commercial LPG refills. Traders say the situation has developed rapidly over the past two days as hotels and small food outlets search for alternative cooking fuel.

The shortage has forced many establishments to explore temporary solutions in order to continue serving customers.

Armstrong Road traders report spike in demand

Traders operating along Armstrong Road, a well-known hub for timber and firewood in the Shivajinagar locality, said demand for firewood has increased significantly.

Shopkeepers reported that hotel owners and street vendors have been visiting the market frequently over the past few days to purchase wood as an alternative fuel.

According to traders, many of these customers are facing difficulties in securing commercial LPG cylinder refills, prompting them to temporarily switch to traditional methods of cooking.

A shopkeeper named Rafeeq said sales had risen sharply.

“Many customers have come to buy wood in the last two days because they are unable to get commercial LPG cylinders. Some people are also placing orders online,” he said.

Hotels making bulk purchases

Another trader, Mumtaz, said some hotel owners are purchasing firewood in bulk to ensure that their kitchens can function until the gas supply improves.

“We have seen a sudden surge in orders. Some hotels are buying large quantities of firewood to manage their operations temporarily,” she said.

Traders added that the increase in demand has been noticeable, especially from small restaurants, roadside eateries and catering businesses that rely heavily on LPG for cooking.

Smaller buyers also seeking supplies

The surge in demand is not limited to large purchases.

A trader operating near Lalbagh said he has received several calls from customers requesting small quantities of firewood.

“We have been getting many enquiries for 10 kg or 20 kg of firewood in the last two days,” the trader said.

However, he explained that his business mainly deals in bulk supply and it is difficult to meet smaller individual orders.

Despite this, traders have tried to assist some customers by sourcing smaller quantities to help them meet their immediate cooking needs.

Impact of LPG supply disruption

The rise in firewood demand is linked to the ongoing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders affecting restaurants and other businesses in the city.

Commercial LPG is widely used in hotel kitchens, roadside eateries and food stalls due to its convenience and efficiency.

However, disruptions in supply have forced many establishments to explore alternatives such as firewood-based cooking.

While firewood can serve as a temporary solution, business owners say it is not always practical due to smoke, storage requirements and cooking efficiency.

Temporary shift to traditional fuel

Industry observers say the situation highlights how quickly businesses adapt when essential resources become scarce.

Many restaurants and vendors are turning to firewood only as a short-term measure until the supply of commercial LPG cylinders is restored.

Traders expect demand for firewood to remain high in the coming days if the gas shortage continues.

Conclusion

The sudden spike in firewood sales reflects the broader impact of the commercial LPG shortage on the food and hospitality sector. While domestic LPG supply remains stable, disruptions in commercial cylinder availability have forced businesses to rely on traditional fuel sources.

Until the LPG supply normalises, traders say the demand for firewood from hotels and street vendors is likely to continue rising across the city.