Liquor sales in Andhra Pradesh have undergone an unprecedented decline in the past few months, as indicated by the data available on the chief minister’s core dashboard. According to the dashboard, the sale of liquor has plummeted by a staggering 55 percent in May.
However, the Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited (APBCL) has indicated that there might be a minor decline in sales due to a shortage of beer. Nevertheless, the sale of other categories of liquor remains relatively unchanged, similar to the figures recorded in the previous year.
The chief minister’s dashboard is continuously updated in real time. It is designed to reflect the off-take of liquor from any liquor depot as soon as it occurs, ensuring that the dashboard provides an accurate and current overview of liquor sales at all times.
According to the dashboard, there was a 13 percent decrease in sales in January 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. The gap between the current year’s sales and the corresponding period of the previous year continues to widen, with a significant 55 percent decline in sales in May.
Until 2022, liquor sales consistently showed an upward trajectory. However, in 2023, a distinct downward trend has emerged, with sales steadily declining each month. This indicates a significant decrease in consumer demand for liquor.
In May, the sale of Indian Made Liquor (IML), including Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), has experienced an astonishing decline of 65 percent. Additionally, beer sales have also decreased by 17 percent, which is highly unusual considering that beer sales typically rise during the summer season. This unprecedented decrease in beer sales further adds to the notable impact on the overall liquor market.
According to individuals involved in the liquor retail trade, the decline in beer sales can be attributed to a recent workers’ strike at one of the major breweries, leading to a shortage in supply in the past few days. However, they find the decline of more than half in Indian Made Liquor (IML) sales to be highly unusual and not easily explained.
It is noteworthy that there has been no decrease in sales reported in bars; in fact, a bar owner in Vijayawada has stated that sales have increased by at least 15 percent. D Vasudeva Reddy, the Managing Director (MD) of Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited (APBCL), acknowledged a decline in beer sales during May, which he attributed to a brief period of short supply.
In contrast to the sales data displayed on the chief minister’s real-time dashboard, Vasudeva Reddy offered a differing perspective. He stated that there has not been a significant decline in the sale of Indian Made Liquor (IML). According to Reddy, the overall decrease in sales is estimated to be no more than 8 percent, contradicting the figures shown on the dashboard.