Delhi low on spirits even as G20 nears

Six months after the Delhi government reverted its alcohol policy to a system operated by state vendors, supplies of popular alcohol brands are running low, a critical challenge ahead of G20 meetings and ICC World Cup cricket matches that are set to attract global audiences.

- Varuni Khosla

The biggest drop has been in the supply of Kingfisher beer. Also, AB InBev, which had a 20% market share through private vendors in 2022, is down to nearly zero.

Questions mailed to a spokesperson for United Breweries, the owner of Kingfisher brand, on its scaled-back supply were not answered as the company is in a so-called silent period before the earnings announcement.

However, with many drinkers driving up to neighbouring states for their favourite beer, AB InBev brands Budweiser, Magnum, Corona, and Hoegaarden continue to have a 20% share in Haryana and a 15% share in Uttar Pradesh.

Kartikeya Sharma, president of AB InBev India, said, “We look forward to policy stability in the important market of Delhi and would continue to seek a level playing field across the alcohol vends. Retail outlets or off-trade availability and share of our premium brands are totally divergent to our wide availability in the on-trade in hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs in the city.”