Kochi: Kerala recorded liquor sales worth ₹19,561.85 crore in the financial year 2024–25, which includes beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. Out of this, the state government received ₹14,821.91 crore in taxes through the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO).

According to data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist MK Haridas, liquor production and import also played a key role in the state revenue. Travancore Sugars and Chemicals, a government-owned distillery, produced 24.75 lakh litres of liquor during the same period. Additionally, alcoholic beverages worth ₹763.07 crore were imported from outside the state.

Since the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led government came to power, the state treasury has received ₹1,225.70 crore from bar license fees alone, up to March 31, 2025. The current license fee for a bar stands at ₹35 lakh.

Among all districts, Ernakulam topped the list in bar license revenue generation, contributing ₹304.07 crore. Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram followed with ₹156.15 crore and ₹134.43 crore, respectively.

Kerala also has 45 clubs operating with valid bar licenses. These clubs contributed a total of ₹41.85 crore in license fees between 2021–22 and 2024–25.

The state is also home to 19 Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufacturing units, adding to Kerala’s robust liquor industry.