As summer temperatures rise in India, demand for soft drinks typically surges. However, this year tells a different story. If you’ve been unable to find your favourite Diet Coke or other canned beverages on store shelves or online delivery apps, it’s not just bad luck. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are witnessing a significant shortage of canned drinks—linked directly to the ongoing Iran conflict and instability in the Middle East. On social media, people are comparing this shortage to the recent LPG cylinder scarcity.

According to a report by CNBC-TV18, at least one major production line each at India’s two largest aluminium can manufacturers is currently shut down. Sources indicate that this has impacted nearly 50–60% of the country’s total aluminium can production capacity. At a time when demand peaks during summer, such a steep drop signals a serious supply crisis.

LPG Shortage Worsens the Situation

The issue is further compounded by shortages of LPG, which is essential for powering the large furnaces used in aluminium can production. Due to disruptions linked to the conflict, factories are receiving limited fuel supply, forcing them to scale down or halt operations altogether.

The crisis deepened on March 28, when missile and drone strikes targeted two of the world’s largest aluminium smelters—Emirates Global Aluminium in Abu Dhabi and Aluminium Bahrain. The attacks caused extensive damage, prompting companies to declare “force majeure,” meaning they are unable to meet contractual supply commitments. The Abu Dhabi facility alone had an annual production capacity of 1.6 million tonnes and may take up to a year to fully resume operations.

Aluminium Prices Surge Globally

According to global consultancy Wood Mackenzie, around 3–3.5 million tonnes of aluminium production capacity has been affected worldwide this year. This disruption has pushed global aluminium prices up by nearly 15%, crossing $3,500 per tonne—the highest level in four years. For India, the impact is significant, as the country imports nearly 20% of its aluminium requirements.

Premium beverages like Diet Coke and Coke Zero are largely sold in cans, many of which were sourced from the UAE. With supply chains disrupted and domestic production halved due to LPG shortages, availability has taken a major hit.

Social Media Turns Frenzy

The shortage of Diet Coke has sparked a wave of reactions on X, with users sharing both concern and humor.

One user wrote, “All cylindrical objects are in short supply. Diet Coke is the new LPG.”



Another user joked, “First there was a shortage of GPUs, then RAM, and now Diet Coke… life is getting harder for engineers.”

Check out netizens reactions:








Edited by : Mary Rose Baba