The sales of foreign liquor (IMFL) made in India dominate the southern states. According to a report by the Industry Body CIABC, South India had a 58 per cent stake in the total IMFL sales in the country in 2024-25. Karnataka remains at the top position by contributing 17 per cent to the All India Whiskey sales in FY 2025.
Five southern states- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana and Union Territory Puducherry have dominated the sales of foreign liquor (IMFL) made in India, consuming 23.18 crore boxes (jointly 58 per cent contributing to 58 per cent sales) in the financial year ended March 31, 2025.
The share of the rest of the country is only 42 percent
According to the CIABC, South India is almost completely occupied by the IMFL market, while the rest of the country accounts for only 42 per cent. However, the sales of IMFL whiskey across the country have fallen by 1.4 percent, which has now come to 40.17 crore boxes. It was 39.62 crore boxes in FY 2023-24.
Election and liquor policy affected sale
CIABC Director General Anant S Iyer said, “The first quarter of the financial year 2024-25 was weak due to elections and some states’ liquor policy, causing the sale to slow. Iyer said, ‘We are constantly in touch with the state governments and are making them aware of our concerns on these excise policy issues. Every year, we look at a significant increase in state charges and policy changes, which affects sales in a short to moderate period.
Karnataka tops the top with 6.88 crore boxes, second place in Tamil Nadu
According to the report, Karnataka retained the top position with the sale of 6.88 crore boxes. After this, Tamil Nadu is second with 6.7 crore boxes, which is about 16 percent of the national sales. At the same time, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh contributed about 9 percent to the sale of IMFL with 3.71 crore and 3.55 crore boxes respectively. According to CIABC data, Kerala finished seventh in the sale of IMFL with 2.29 crore boxes.
Uttar Pradesh at the top in the northern region
According to the report, the northern region contributed 20 per cent to IMFL sales, where Uttar Pradesh topped the 2.50 million boxes. Uttar Pradesh finished sixth at the national level with a growth rate of 6 percent. This was followed by Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana, which finished 9th, 10th and 11th in IMFL sales with 1.37 crore boxes, 1.18 crore boxes and 1.17 crore boxes respectively. Overall, the northern region recorded a growth of only one percent in the IMFL sales in FY 2025.