Thiruvananthapuram: Beer sales in Kerala have surged by 29.2% this year, even as the state experiences a deficit monsoon, with nearly 49.15 lakh cases sold between April 1 and August 23, according to data from the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO).

During the corresponding period last year, Bevco sold 38.03 lakh cases of beer. The increase of 11.12 lakh cases marks a sharp acceleration in beer consumption compared with the growth recorded in Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).

IMFL sales rose 9.66% during the same period, increasing from 92.42 lakh cases last year to 101.35 lakh cases this year.

Beer and IMFL together account for the bulk of liquor sales in Kerala. Beer constituted 29.15% of their combined sales last year, but its share has increased to 32.66% this year.

The latest figures also mark a reversal in the recent decline in beer sales in the state. Beer sales had fallen by 5.9% in 2023-24 and by another 3.4% in 2024-25.

The sharp rise this year therefore signals a significant recovery for the beer segment, with its growth substantially outpacing that of IMFL so far in the current financial year.

Rs 279 crore liquor sales in first three days of Onam season

Liquor sales through Bevco outlets in Kerala witnessed a rise during the first three days of the Onam season this year compared to the corresponding period last year, officials said.

According to data from the Excise Department, liquor worth Rs 279.12 crore was sold through Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) outlets between August 21 and 23 this year, against sales of Rs 250.96 crore during the first three days of the Onam season last year.

On August 22, sales crossed the Rs 100-crore mark, with liquor worth Rs 102.28 crore sold through Bevco outlets.

Sales stood at Rs 87.86 crore on August 21 and Rs 88.98 crore on August 23, the data showed.

Last year, Bevco recorded liquor sales worth Rs 970.74 crore during the entire Onam season.

Bevco officials said liquor sales are expected to surpass last year's figure during the ongoing Onam season.