New Delhi: The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has urged the government to introduce uniform tax policies for the alcohol industry and support the global promotion of traditional Indian spirits such as Mahua and Feni.
Speaking at the Alco-Bev India 2025 conclave in New Delhi, CIABC Chairman Deepak Roy said that aligning state-level taxes and encouraging the export of heritage Indian liquors could significantly boost the sector’s international presence.
“There’s huge potential in our traditional spirits. Just like Tequila represents Mexico, Sake represents Japan, and Soju represents Korea, we should aim to make Feni and Mahua globally recognized symbols of India’s rich cultural heritage,” said Roy. “But to achieve that, we need to move beyond outdated thinking and actively support these products.”
He also highlighted the need for the government to let the industry communicate freely with consumers and emphasized that inconsistent taxation across states is a major roadblock.
“We lack a unified strategy. A standardized tax structure across the country would help the industry grow faster,” he added.
CIABC Director General Anant Slyer echoed this sentiment, stating that the industry needs tax reforms and progressive policies to boost growth and revenue.
Currently, India ranks 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports. The goal is to break into the top 10. In the financial year 2023–24, India exported over ₹2,200 crore worth of alcoholic beverages, with key markets including the UAE, Singapore, the Netherlands, and several African nations such as Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, and Rwanda. CIABC now aims to grow these exports to $1 billion in the near future.
The Aabkari(Abkari) Times magazine occupies a unique niche in the Indian media landscape. As the only Hindi monthly magazine dedicated to alcohol, liquor, excise, and allied industries, it caters to a specific audience with a specialized knowledge base.
