Pune Witnesses Surge in Beer Sales Despite Statewide Decline

Pune: While beer sales across the state have witnessed a decline, Pune stands out as an exception, reporting a notable increase in beer consumption.

According to the State Excise Department, in between April and October 2023, a total of 21.23 crore liters of beer were sold in the state, with Pune alone contributing significantly to this figure. 

Pune reported the highest beer sales at 3.45 crore liters during this period, surpassing other major cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik, and more.

The State Excise Department, responsible for collecting the highest revenue in the state treasury, credited Pune’s robust beer sales to the preferences of its residents. In comparison to other departments, the State Excise Department has been leading in revenue collection. The department benefits substantially from the alcohol trade, contributing significantly to the state’s revenue.

In an effort to understand the reasons behind this deep in beer sales, the state government formed a committee in October. Comprising five members under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of the State Excise Department, the committee aims to analyze the factors influencing beer sales. One significant observation is the decrease in beer sales due to an increase in excise duty, directly impacting the state’s revenue.

Alcohol content in beer is comparatively lower than in other alcoholic beverages, both domestic and international. Based on these comparative analyses, the committee is investigating whether the increase in excise duty on beer is disproportionately higher. This has resulted in a hike in beer prices, potentially deterring beer enthusiasts.

Apart from Pune, other districts, including Nagpur, Amravati, Nanded, Kolhapur, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Nagar, have reported lower beer sales. The State Excise Department has taken note of these disparities and is actively working on a comprehensive plan to streamline beer sales across the state.

As per data, between April and October of this year, beer sales in Pune have increased compared to the same period last year. In the preceding year, from April to October, a total of 3.13 crore liters of beer were sold. However, in the current fiscal year, during the same time frame, beer sales in Pune have reached 3.45 crore liters. This indicates a notable growth in sales, with an overall increase of 10 percent compared to the previous year, which had recorded sales of 3.1547 crore liters during the same period.