3 Key Beer Wine Spirits Stories for Industry Professionals
According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, this media monitoring review delivers three essential stories on beer, wine and spirits shaping India's alcohol industry today. From market data on beer volumes overtaking spirits to premiumization trends and international trade shifts, these stories offer actionable intelligence for professionals across the sector.
1. Beer Growth Outpaces Spirits 2x
A front-page report in Mint says that beer volumes grew at about 12% annually between 2021 and 2025, more than twice the pace of spirits, according to data from drinks consultancy IWSR. The volume gap between the two categories narrowed from 9.15 million hectolitres to 1.25 million hectolitres, with beer volumes rising from 21.29 million hectolitres to 36.9 million hectolitres while spirits volumes increased from 30.44 million hectolitres to 38.15 million hectolitres. Beer volumes grew at about 12% annually between 2021 and 2025, more than twice the pace of spirits, according to IWSR data highlighted in this press review. The volume gap between the two categories narrowed from 9.15 million hectolitres to 1.25 million hectolitres, with beer volumes rising from 21.29 million hectolitres to 36.9 million hectolitres while spirits volumes increased from 30.44 million hectolitres to 38.15 million hectolitres. This print media monitoring insight shows how consumer preferences are shifting toward beer across India.
2. India Beer Premium Share Rises
A front-page report in Mint says India's beer market is seeing a shift towards premium brands, which grew faster than the overall market. Pan-India beer sales grew 17 percent year-on-year in the June quarter of fiscal year 2027, the strongest growth in five quarters. Brewers including United Breweries and Medusa Beverages are expanding premium portfolios as lower alcohol duty structures improve economics. India's beer market is seeing a significant shift towards premium brands, which grew faster than the overall market. Pan-India beer sales grew 17 percent year-on-year in the June quarter of fiscal year 2027, the strongest growth in five quarters. Brewers including United Breweries and Medusa Beverages are expanding premium portfolios as lower alcohol duty structures improve economics. This news on beer market dynamics reflects the broader premiumization trend tracked by media intelligence platforms.
3. EU Wine Duty Cut To 75 Percent
A front-page report in Financial Express says India has agreed to concessions on wines in exchange for concessional duty access on several agricultural products. The EU has reduced customs duty on wines in the €2.5-10 price band from 150% to 75% in the first year, with progressive reductions to 30% and 20% by Year 8. The EU has opened agricultural and food-product lines to Indian exports while retaining protection for sensitive products. India has agreed to concessions on wines in exchange for concessional duty access on several agricultural products under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement. The EU has reduced customs duty on wines in the €2.5-10 price band from 150% to 75% in the first year, with progressive reductions to 30% and 20% by Year 8. This development in wine trade policy underscores the importance of media monitoring for tracking international regulatory changes affecting the spirits sector.
Which of these market shifts will have the greatest impact on your business over the next fiscal year? Share your perspective in the comments and tag the relevant industry players to keep the conversation going.
