Soaring mercury in Rajasthan: Liquor vendors run out of beer stock

JAIPUR: The state is facing an unprecedented beer supply shortage at a time when the mercury has been soaring high and the demand for the drink has doubled. Liquor vends across the city have alleged a shortage of stock of beer to serve their customers, with some even claiming the Rajasthan State Beverages Corporation Ltd (RSBCL) for not providing them sufficient beer supply as allegedly companies are producing less.
Nilesh Mewara, president of the Rajasthan Liquor Welfare Society said, "The RSBCL is only providing 10-12 beer cases to shop owners per day against the actual demand for 40-45 cases. Many outlets have run out of beer, and this has pulled down our daily sales." The owners said that due to the shortage, their customers are returning without buying any other liquor. This is a double whammy for shops. "As per the policy, every outlet has to sell a fixed amount of stock per month. A penalty is imposed if the vendor fails to sell the guaranteed quantity..."
20 lakh cases of beer are sold in a mth in Rajasthan
"...Currently, consumers do not prefer any other liquor, and this has affected the sales adversely," said another owner.
As per the demand during the peak season, the state requires approximately 3.12 crore bulk litres. But the manufacturers are not able to meet the demand and the production has also halved. Nearly 20 lakh cases of beer are sold in a month across the state against the current demand of 40-45 lakh cases.
A source at a beer manufacturing company on condition of anonymity said, brewers start production of extra beer in October and stockpile bottles before the summer season to meet the demand every year. "Most breweries that supply to Rajasthan are in the NCR region. Last year, there were restrictions on producers to operate factories for extra hours due to pollution. This has also hit the beer production."
An official at the RSBCL said, "There is no deliberate delay in supply from our end. There is a surge in demand due to the extreme hot weather. For the past two years, the demand was not much due to Covid. Now, the supply is not in proportion with the demand and it's difficult for manufacturers to increase production overnight. The shortage is across the country."