Calcutta, May 15: A rise in mercury levels has jacked up sales of air-conditioners and refrigerators in the east during March-April this year. Sales of air-conditioners grew over 50 per cent and refrigerators 40 per cent during the period.

For 2015-16, the market size of air-conditioners in India was estimated at four million units. It is expected to grow at 15 per cent. The east contributes about 12 per cent to the total sale of air-conditioners in India, a report by Ernst and Young said.

"An early onset of summer this year is an opportunity for higher growth, mainly in the premium air-conditioner segment. The prices have remained stable and consumer sentiments are also positive," said Anup Bhargava, product group head (air-conditioners) of Godrej Appliances.

"Sales from the east is about 15 per cent of Videocon's overall sales of air-conditioners. We are aiming to sell 6 lakh units across the country this year and hope that the March-April period will contribute about 35 per cent of annual sales," said Sanjeev Bakshi, COO - air-conditioners division - Videocon.

"For LG, the eastern region's contribution in terms of sale of air-conditioners has touched 20 per cent compared with 9 per cent last year," said Vijay Babu, business head, residential AC, LG India.

Refrigerator demand

The national refrigerator market is estimated at 12 million units and the east comprises around 16 per cent of it.

"Nationally, the refrigerator category has grown 30 per cent in March-April. The east is growing at 40 per cent, which is expected to sustain till the end of the summer," said Shivaji Sengupta, product group head (refrigerators) of Godrej Appliances.

"East is a focus region that contributes 15 per cent to overall refrigerator sales at Videocon. We are expecting to see a growth of 50 per cent from this zone," said C.M. Singh, COO of Videocon.

"We have ramped up production by 20 per cent to meet the market demands," Kamal Nandi, business head and executive VP of Godrej Appliances, said.