Gujarat's Morbi Ceramic Industry Faces Shutdown Amid Rising Military Tensions

The ceramic industry in Morbi, Gujarat, is facing a potential shutdown as military tensions in West Asia disrupt gas supplies. With shipments from the Gulf region affected, industry leaders warn that operations could cease within days, jeopardizing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers. The situation has escalated following recent conflicts involving Iran and the U.S., leading to significant supply chain issues. As the industry relies heavily on propane and natural gas, the ongoing crisis raises urgent concerns about the future of this vital sector.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 18:33 IST

Impact of Military Tensions on Morbi's Ceramic Sector

The renowned ceramic industry in Morbi, Gujarat, is on the brink of a complete halt due to escalating military tensions in West Asia and disruptions in supply chains, as reported by industry representatives on Wednesday. The ongoing conflict-like situation between Israel, the United States, and Iran has severely affected gas supplies from the Gulf region. Tensions peaked after the U.S. targeted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, leading Iran to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Morbi's ceramic manufacturers primarily rely on propane and natural gas for operating kilns and drying processes. Manoj Arwadia, president of the Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association (Glazed Tiles Division), stated that the arrival of petroleum and gas shipments from Gulf countries has been disrupted. Cargoes are stuck in the Hormuz Strait, which is under Iranian control, halting supplies to Morbi.

He further noted that companies using propane gas have only three to four days of stock left, while the natural gas supplied by Gujarat Gas Limited may last about a week. He expressed concerns that if the war situation persists, the entire industry might have to cease operations within the next ten days.

Echoing similar worries, Haresh Bopalai, president of the Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association (Wall Tile Division), mentioned that the breakdown of the fuel supply chain is preventing units from receiving gas on time. He highlighted that there are approximately 600 ceramic units in Morbi, and if supplies remain irregular, production may need to be halted across all of them.

This situation poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of two to three lakh workers employed in the region. Another ceramic producer, Manibhai Bavarva, indicated that supply disruptions began after an incident at a Saudi Arabian port on February 23, but the ongoing conflict has now nearly completely halted the inflow of propane.