Lockdown pushes fast-moving consumer goods into slow lane

NEW DELHI: Even as demand for fast-moving consumer goods has continued to surge in India, makers and distributors of essential goods have said that strict lockdowns in several states over the past two days has caused a disruption in the supply and movement of goods.

Several distributors and retailers said they are operating in line with orders passed by several states that are allowing sale and procurement of essential goods such as packaged foods, vegetables and medicines but were facing problems with regard to opening warehouses and movement of delivery trucks in some cities.

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Ltd, (GMCH), which makes Amul products, has faced problems in the movement of delivery of vehicles, manpower and labour, in pockets of Delhi, Mumbai and Thane, said managing director RS Sodhi. He has assured consumers that procurement and supply of packaged foods and beverages, especially packaged milk, will continue despite lockdowns.

Another large packaged foods company said it has faced distribution-related problems over the past two days. “We are facing issues in distribution where either the district centres or depots are being asked to close down. We are working very closely with the government, making them understand the issue and getting the required permissions,” said a top executive at the firm on the condition of anonymity.

The firm is also facing problems in procuring raw material “because of the lack of understanding of orders, as authorities are not allowing things like sugar and wheat flour to be transported though they are essential and exempted from prohibitions,” he said. Distributors of fast-moving consumer goods said the orders were being misinterpreted at different local administrative levels.

Over the weekend, warehouses of online grocery firm Grofers in several states were forced to shut and delivery partner turned away. “We are noticing some misunderstanding on the ground level with respect to implementation of instructions covered in the central government directive. Our warehouses in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi have been forced lockdown and delivery partners from our local stores are being turned back. We are working round the clock to support people who rely highly on our services and are waiting for essential supplies at their homes,” said Albinder Dhindsa, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Grofers.