LUCKNOW: The liquor industry and demand for booze have remained insulated from the economic slowdown. And while country liquor has remained the clear cut favourite of UPites, the demand for brew surpassed everyone’s expectations last year.
Hard drinks (whisky, vodka, rum and gin) are the least preferred among the three segments of liquor. The year-on-year figures maintained by the excise department show demand for country liquor (popularly known as desi daru), beer and Indian-made foreign liquor was up by 25%, 24% and 61% in 2021-22 compared to 2020-21.
Officials said crackdown on illegal liquor units and clamping down smuggling of booze from Haryana resulted in increased sales. “Also during the summer season of 2020, shops remained shut for a prolonged period as strict lockdown had been imposed,” said excise commissioner Senthil C Pandian.
