Frothing ahead
Sales growth of 5 percent per annum over the period to 2006 is forecasted for the Indian beer market by drinks industry analysts Canadean. However, this growth depends on an increase of personal income and taxation changes. At present per capita consumption is low at 0.5 l not least because taxation at around 60% means that only the middle and upper income groups can afford a beer every now and again.
Domestic beer production was 5.5 million hl in 2000 according to the Barth Beer Report. Beer has always been easier to tax than locally produced spirits which are unregulated. Consequently, beer is an important revenue earner for the government. Over the past five years compound growth has been encouraging. In 2000 beer sales rose 7 percent compared to 2 percent in 1999. +44-1256-394218.
Select offer and read on
6 print issues