Karnataka liquor volumes remain flat in H1
Karnataka's liquor sales remained stagnant in the first half of fiscal year 2026-27, according to recent data. Beer sales surged 41% year-over-year, reaching 276 lakh cases, up from 195 lakh cases a year earlier. However, Indian-made liquor (IML) sales only increased by 4% to 347 lakh cases. Despite the weaker volume growth, IML still generated the majority of excise revenue, totaling Rs 17,425 crore, a 13% increase from the previous year.
Beer sales brought in Rs 3,378 crore, up 19% year-on-year, while IML contributed Rs 17,425 crore, marking a 13% growth. Industry experts attribute the overall revenue growth to higher additional excise duty (AED) rates in the first five tax slabs. Retailers and producers expressed concerns over the revised policy, fearing it would favor multinational premium brands and lead to a shift towards beer consumption, mirroring trends seen in other countries.
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