Liquor prices to stay steady in new fiscal

Lucknow: Retail prices of liquor brands are going to remain more or less in the same range in the upcoming financial year.In a positive development for more than 29,000 entrepreneurs involved in the liquor trade in Uttar Pradesh, existing retailers would get an option to renew their licences and continue operations in the next fiscal. A retail shop owner would have to shell out a 7.5% increase in licence fees compared to the last financial year to be allowed to run the same shop.
Determined to enrich the state coffers further, the department is going to introduce, for the first time, a separate UP liquor export policy to promote exports. It is going to be effective for the next three fiscal years (April 1 to March 31 of 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29). UP-based liquor manufacturers (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, country liquor, wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages) would find it easier to market their products both domestically and internationally through the export sector-oriented policy framework.Excise minister Nitin Agarwal said, "We took into consideration representations from all the stakeholders involved in the trade and introduced measures to smoothen their day-to-day operations. For instance, for the wholesale ecosystem, we revamped the licence fees linked to volumes, while distillery operators would be permitted to open wholesale warehouses for improved viability. Similarly, the monthly guaranteed quota for the country liquor shops was rationalised as per the location of the shop."Another excise officer added that though final maximum retail prices of various products are yet to be worked out by the liquor companies as per the stipulated formula prices of popular English liquor brands and retail units could go up by Rs 10 to Rs 40. On the other hand, prices of premium brands that are imported from other countries could go down, as duty on such products was revised downwards.Excise commissioner Adarsh Singh said, "To promote exports of liquor products that are produced in UP, we rationalised the label approval fees for export-oriented brands, brought down export fees to Rs 1 and Rs 0.50 per bulk litre of grain-based and molasses-based extra neutral alcohol. Distilleries were also allowed to research and export heritage liquor for the first time." Chief operating officer, Radico Khaitan Ltd, Amar Sinha said, "The policy introduced by the UP govt is extremely progressive and is aimed at promoting production. Consumers will have increased choices particularly the ones who prefer country liquor as new products at various price points are going to be available on the shelf from April 1 onwards. Taking a lead in the country, UP is going to make it mandatory on all the stakeholders involved across the entire supply chain to carry out all the financial transactions through a centralised portal. The cash and carry business model would improve transparency, efficiency and trade of legitimate products to the end consumers."