Thiruvananthapuram: In a major move that brings relief to consumers in Kerala, the prices of over 43 liquor brands have been slashed. The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) implemented the price revision today following recommendations from various liquor manufacturing companies.
Major Price Cuts for Popular Brands
The price reduction applies to several popular and premium brands, including Old Monk, Old Port, Officer’s Choice, and Lamont. According to the updated price list:
- Popular Brands: Prices for 500ml bottles of several mass-market brands have dropped by ₹10.
- General Reduction: Many brands have seen a price cut of ₹20 per litre.
- Premium Segment: Certain premium liquor brands have seen a significant decrease ranging from ₹30 to ₹50.
Bevco confirmed that the price revision has already been updated in their billing software across all outlets in the state. The decision to cut prices comes as private companies aim to boost sales following a slight dip in demand over the last few months.
The Jawan Rum Crisis: Stocks Run Dry
While the price drop is being welcomed, the state is facing a severe shortage of the government-manufactured Jawan Deluxe Rum, the most popular choice among commoners.
- 80% Outlets Out of Stock: Currently, nearly 80% of Bevco outlets have no stock of Jawan Rum.
- Production Halt: The shortage is attributed to a water crisis at the production plant in Thiruvalla, which has forced the distillery to cut production by half.
- The 1-Litre Struggle: While 750ml (full) bottles are occasionally available at ₹490, the highly sought-after 1-litre bottle (₹630) is almost impossible to find.
Furthermore, the much-anticipated new government brand, ‘Minnal Magic’, which was supposed to be launched from the Palakkad Menonpara plant, has been delayed by several months, adding to the frustration of consumers.
