Liquor sales shoot up in Rayalaseema; high demand for beer

Liquor sales have increased significantly in Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region. According to Excise Department statistics, compared with August last year, Indian Made Liquor (IML) and beer sales rose in Rayalaseema in August this year, driving a significant increase in overall liquor sales value.

Interestingly, the rise in beer sales in this 'dry region' was higher than the state average.

In the nine districts of Rayalaseema, IML sales stood at 11,98,769 cases in August 2025, which increased to 12,59,092 cases in August 2026. This represents an increase of around 5 per cent. During the same period, beer sales increased from 5,08,434 cases to 7,63,542 cases, registering a rise of nearly 50 per cent.

The total value of liquor sales also rose from Rs 764.62 crore to Rs 892.28 crore, up nearly 17 per cent.

Huge increase in Kurnool

Kurnool emerged as the key district for liquor sales in Rayalaseema. In August 2025, IML sales in Kurnool stood at 1,17,519 cases, which increased to 1,31,895 cases in August 2026. Beer sales increased from 49,327 cases to 74,101 cases.

Also read: 4 killed in Sri City explosion in Andhra Pradesh

The total value of sales increased from Rs 82.90 crore to Rs 102.76 crore, with nearly Rs 19.86 crore recorded.

According to Kurnool Excise Superintendent Macha Sudheer Babu, IML sales in the district rose 12 per cent, beer sales 50 per cent, and total liquor sales value 24 per cent. Daily liquor sales in Kurnool are estimated at around 34,118 litres.

Tirupati records the highest sales value

When sales value is considered rather than the number of cases, Tirupati leads Rayalaseema. In August 2025, the value of liquor sales in Tirupati district stood at Rs 170.23 crore, which increased to Rs 198.82 crore in August 2026.

In Chittoor, sales value rose from Rs 88.14 crore to Rs 104.95 crore, while in Anantapur it rose from Rs 99.71 crore to Rs 114.11 crore. In YSR Kadapa, it rose from Rs 96.42 crore to Rs 110.24 crore.

Liquor sales also increased significantly in Nandyal. There, the sales value rose from Rs 78.38 crore to Rs 92.71 crore.

In Annamayya district, sales increased from Rs 84.69 crore to Rs 94.72 crore, while in Sri Sathya Sai district they rose from Rs 64.15 crore to Rs 73.97 crore.

Why have beer sales increased in Rayalaseema?

The sharp rise in beer sales in Rayalaseema, rather than the overall increase in liquor sales, has become a point of discussion.

Also read: Andhra HC quashes BC quota orders in local bodies; govt to move SC

Beer sales increased by around 50 per cent in Kurnool, while significant increases were also recorded in districts such as Nandyal, Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor and Tirupati.

Officials say demand for beer increased because of the region's continued high temperatures, similar to conditions usually seen in March and April. However, the question remains whether weather alone is responsible for the increase in beer sales, or whether there has also been a change in consumer preferences.

Higher growth in Rayalaseema compared to the state

Looking at the overall Andhra Pradesh figures, IML sales increased by 4.3 per cent in August 2026 compared to August 2025. Beer sales increased by 34 per cent, while the total value of liquor sales surged by around 13 per cent.

During the same period, IML sales in Rayalaseema increased by around 5 per cent, while beer sales rose by nearly 50 per cent. The total value of sales also increased by nearly 17 per cent.

This means that although liquor sales increased at the state level as well, beer sales in Rayalaseema, in particular, grew faster than the state average.

Inflow of illegal liquor

At a time when official liquor sales are increasing in Rayalaseema, the inflow of illegal liquor from neighbouring states is also continuing. Excise officials have been identifying the illegal movement of cheaper liquor, particularly from Karnataka, into areas such as Kurnool and Anantapur.

However, despite the inflow of illegal liquor from neighbouring states on the one hand, the increase in official liquor sales on the other is an interesting development.

(This article was published in The Federal Andhra Pradesh)