UP emerges as major player in global liquor exports

Uttar Pradesh is rapidly strengthening its position on the global liquor map, with production, exports, and investments recording unprecedented growth in recent years. The state’s alcobev exports have risen by 155 percent, climbing from 292 million litres in 2017–18 to 743 million litres in 2022–23, according to reports.

Uttar Pradesh-made liquor is now shipped to 38 countries. Uttar Pradesh Distillery Association President and Business Head S.K. Shukla credited this growth to policy initiatives such as e-governance, single-window clearances, and a reduction in ENA export duty, which, he said, have significantly boosted investor confidence.

He further noted the industry’s scale-up in capacity. “Production capacity has more than doubled since 2017–18, rising from 61 distilleries producing 170 billion litres to 85 distilleries with 348 billion litres in 2022–23,” he said. In the past year alone, 18 new distilleries became operational, with another 20 under construction.

Supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the association’s “Made in UP” branding initiative, industry experts forecast that liquor exports from the state will cross the 1,000-million-litre mark by 2026, firmly establishing Uttar Pradesh in global markets.