Lucknow, August 28, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh is on track to become a big name in the world of liquor exports. Industry leaders say the state’s shipments of alcohol could go beyond 1,000 million liters by next year. That’s a huge jump from where things stood just a few years back, thanks to smart policy changes and a boom in production.
The Uttar Pradesh Distillery Association shared this exciting news today. They point out that exports have already shot up by 155 percent in recent years. Back in the 2017-18 financial year, the state sent out 292 million liters of liquor. By 2022-23, that number had climbed to 743 million liters. If trends keep going strong, hitting that 1 billion liter mark by 2026 seems very doable.
What’s fueling this growth? A lot comes down to better rules from the government. Things like easier online processes, one-stop approvals for businesses, and lower taxes on key ingredients like extra neutral alcohol have made it simpler for companies to expand. These steps have drawn in more investors, who see big potential in UP’s liquor scene. As a result, the state now ships its products to 38 countries around the world.
Production has kept pace with the export surge. In 2017-18, UP had 61 distilleries churning out about 170 billion liters a year. Fast forward to 2022-23, and there were 85 plants producing 348 billion liters. That’s more than double the capacity. Just in the last year, 18 new distilleries opened their doors, and another 20 are being built right now. This ramp-up means UP can meet rising demand both at home and abroad.
S K Shukla, who heads the Uttar Pradesh Distillery Association, is upbeat about the future. “Our production has more than doubled since 2017-18,” he said. “Exports jumped from 292 million liters to 743 million liters in that time. With help from groups like APEDA and our ‘Made in UP’ campaign, we’re confident we’ll cross 1,000 million liters by 2026. This will solidify UP’s spot on the global liquor export map.”
This isn’t just about exports, the whole liquor industry in UP is thriving. The state raked in a record 51,000 crore rupees from liquor sales in the 2024-25 financial year, more than double what it made in 2018-19. That’s a sign of strong local demand too. But exports are where the real international buzz is coming from. UP’s push aligns with India’s bigger picture, where alcohol shipments hit over 2,200 crore rupees in 2023-24, and experts expect even more growth this year.
Experts say UP’s success could inspire other states. With its large workforce and improving infrastructure, the state is turning into a hub for manufacturing. The “Made in UP” brand is helping promote local spirits, beers, and other drinks overseas. Programs from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority are giving a hand with marketing and quality checks.
Looking ahead, challenges remain. Global trade tensions, like recent tariff issues with the US, could affect markets. But UP’s leaders are optimistic. The new excise policy for 2025-26 aims for even higher revenue, targeting 63,000 crore rupees, which could fund more growth.
For farmers and workers in UP, this boom means jobs and better incomes. Many distilleries use local grains and sugarcane, linking the industry to agriculture. As exports grow, so does the chance for UP to shine on the world stage.
If these projections hold, 2026 could mark a milestone for Uttar Pradesh. From a regional player to a global exporter, the state’s liquor story is one of smart planning and hard work paying off.
