మద్యం: Liquor Prices Set to Surge in Telangana Amid Global Tensions

Liquor prices in Telangana are expected to increase by 12% to 15% as the ongoing war in West Asia disrupts supply chains and production costs. The conflict, particularly the tensions between Iran and Israel, has led to significant challenges in glass bottle manufacturing, which is crucial for the liquor industry.

According to distillery management, the price hike is inevitable following the end of the liquor price review deadline in the state. The last review was supposed to occur every two years, but no changes have been made since May 2023, leaving companies to face rising operational costs without any adjustments to their pricing.

The impact of the war has been felt acutely in the production of glass bottles, with major manufacturing centers in the country reporting a nearly 40% drop in output. This decline is attributed to natural gas supply disruptions, which are essential for glass production. As a result, the price of empty bottles has surged by 20%, further squeezing profit margins for liquor producers.

In addition to the anticipated rise in liquor prices, beer prices are also expected to climb due to a combination of high demand during the summer months and a 20% reduction in supply. This situation has prompted companies to formally request the government to approve the price increases to offset their rising costs.

A judicial committee has been established to review the price hike issue, led by a retired judge, indicating that the government is taking the matter seriously. However, the outcome of this review remains to be seen, and details remain unconfirmed.