Rising metal costs could make festive-season appliances 5–8 per cent dearer

Televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines and vehicles may become more expensive before the festive season as prices of copper, aluminium, zinc and nickel rise in global markets.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange reached $14,369.50 a tonne, while the Indian price rose to Rs 1,304.90 a kilogram from Rs 1,187.85 a month earlier. Aluminium rose about 5 per cent and zinc warehouse stocks have fallen sharply.

Supply concerns include export restrictions on copper and cobalt concentrate from Congo, shipping disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and stronger demand from artificial-intelligence data centres and electric vehicles.

Copper is used in air-conditioner condensers, compressors, washing-machine motors, EV batteries and wiring. Manufacturers’ input costs are reported to have risen 8–10 per cent, creating the possibility of a 5–8 per cent rise in appliance prices.

The final consumer price will depend on inventories, currency movements and how much of the increase manufacturers absorb. Buyers should compare models and warranty terms rather than assume every product will rise equally.