Telangana recorded a significant increase in liquor sales during April and May 2026, driven largely by soaring temperatures and strong demand for beer. The surge in consumption has translated into higher excise collections for the state government, making the summer season a major contributor to revenue growth.
According to official figures, beer emerged as the preferred beverage among consumers during the peak heatwave months, while sales of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) remained relatively stable.
Excise Revenue Crosses ₹3,600 Crore in April 2026
The state earned ₹3,618.41 crore from liquor sales in April 2026, registering a growth of 10.58 percent compared to ₹3,272.33 crore in April 2025.
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A major share of this growth came from beer sales, which climbed to 56.21 lakh cases during the month, up from 46.46 lakh cases a year earlier. This represents an impressive growth of nearly 21 percent.
In comparison, IMFL sales remained largely unchanged at 31.07 lakh cases against 31.18 lakh cases recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Beer Consumption Surges as Heatwave Intensifies
The impact of rising temperatures became even more evident towards the end of April. On April 30 alone, liquor sales were valued at ₹423.57 crore, reflecting a growth of 22.20 percent over the same day in 2025.
Beer sales on the day witnessed a remarkable jump of 58.49 percent, reaching 5.04 lakh cases compared to 3.18 lakh cases last year. Meanwhile, IMFL sales recorded a modest increase of 3.43 percent, rising to 3.62 lakh cases.
Industry observers believe that the prolonged summer heat encouraged consumers to opt for beer, leading to strong retail demand across the state.
Strong Momentum Continues Throughout May
The positive trend extended into May as well. Up to May 25, Telangana generated ₹2,695.02 crore in liquor revenue, registering a growth of 15.4 percent over ₹2,335.39 crore collected during the same period in 2025.
Beer sales rose by 23.82 percent to 50.42 lakh cases, compared to 40.72 lakh cases a year ago. IMFL sales also posted healthy growth of 7.26 percent, increasing to 22.16 lakh cases from 20.66 lakh cases.
Daily sales figures further highlighted the sustained demand. On May 20, beer sales increased by 13.64 percent year-on-year, while total liquor sales touched ₹94.46 crore. By May 25, liquor sales had reached ₹197.09 crore, supported by strong volumes of both beer and IMFL.
Summer Demand Boosts Telangana’s Excise Collections
Excise officials attribute the rise in revenue primarily to higher beer consumption during the peak summer months. The strong performance of the liquor sector in April and May underscores how seasonal weather patterns can significantly influence consumer preferences and state excise earnings.
With beer continuing to dominate growth during the heatwave period, Telangana’s excise collections have received a substantial boost, reinforcing the sector’s contribution to the state’s revenue generation.
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