Morbi, the Indian city that produces over 80% of the country's ceramic tiles, has fallen unusually quiet over the past month as the war in Iran has choked off its fuel supply. Most of the natural gas used to fire the kilns is imported via the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict has made it both scarce and prohibitively expensive.
The city in Gujarat state has thrived as a major export hub thanks to its proximity to Arabian Sea ports and local raw materials. But with only four or five of the roughly 650 to 700 manufacturing units still operational, many workers have been forced to find alternative employment or return to their home states.
“Out of the odd 650 or 700 manufacturing units, only four to five large ones are operational as they can afford to use the more expensive propane gas,” said Hareshbhai Bhadja, a partner in the manufacturing unit GC Granito.
A recent ceasefire has brought a glimmer of hope. Some factories are beginning to reopen after supply assurances from the state government's Gujarat Gas company. Whether natural gas prices will return to pre-war levels, however, remains uncertain.
