Chen Long, sales manager at Chongqing Nanji (Antarctic) Ice Making Co, which produces ice for industrial use, said, "Our company's production line is in full operation, but the supply of ice has fallen short of demand in recent days."

He said the market price for a block of standard industrial ice weighing 25 kg has risen from 12 yuan ($1.77) to more than 20 yuan.

"In summer, half the ice on the market is used by factories," Chen said, adding that as air conditioners are too expensive to use in extremely large workshops such as auto parts factories, air coolers loaded with ice are used instead.

"A block of standard ice, which can last seven to eight hours, helps reduce the temperature in hot weather," Chen said.

There is also huge demand for ice at local farmers' markets, beverage shops and restaurants.

Mao Haihua, chairman of Chongqing Qiaobayu Catering Group, said that in midsummer customers favor cooler dishes such as sashimi, and the best way to keep such food fresh is to use enough ice cubes or ice powder.

In scorching heat on Sunday, Chongqing Meixin Wine Town, a scenic spot in the city's Fuling district, used more than 2,000 kg of ice cubes to cool the swimming pool at its water park.