Liquor sales in Andhra Pradesh witnessed a significant uptick in December 2025, fueled by festive cheer and New Year celebrations, according to the latest official data. The state recorded an overall growth of nearly 8% in revenue compared to the same period the previous year.
Year-End Surge Drives Record Revenue
The excise and prohibition department's figures reveal that total sales from December 1 to 31, 2025, reached Rs 2,767 crore. This marks a clear increase from the Rs 2,568 crore recorded in December 2024. The growth was not uniform throughout the month but saw a dramatic acceleration as the year drew to a close.
The most pronounced spike occurred in the final stretch. Sales during the last three days of the year—December 29, 30, and 31—soared to approximately Rs 543 crore in 2025. This represents a staggering nearly 60% increase from the about Rs 336 crore generated in the corresponding period in 2024. New Year's Eve alone contributed massively to this peak.
Key Factors Behind the Increase
Prohibition and Excise Director Sridhar Chamakuri attributed the year-end rise to a combination of factors. "The rise towards the year-end was driven by New Year celebrations, private parties, social gatherings, and extended sale hours, which encouraged higher footfall at liquor outlets, bars, and restaurants," he told TOI. He also emphasized that rules were strictly enforced despite the relaxation in sale hours.
Industry sources noted that while December 31 saw an exceptional spike, sales during the rest of the month remained stable, leading to a moderate but consistent month-on-month rise. Improved availability of popular brands and steady supply chains also supported the overall increase in volume.
District-Wide Variations in Consumption
The district-wise data painted a picture of clear geographical disparities in consumption patterns across Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam emerged as the top-performing district, recording liquor sales of roughly Rs 178.6 crore for the month. It was closely followed by the temple city of Tirupati at Rs 169.4 crore, and NTR district at Rs 155.4 crore. This trend reflects strong urban demand, active tourism, and higher disposable spending during the festive season. Together, these districts accounted for a substantial portion of the state's total liquor revenue.
Conversely, some districts reported surprisingly low sales despite high tourist activity. Alluri Sitharama Raju district, which saw a massive tourist influx to scenic spots like Araku and Paderu, fetched only about Rs 30.7 crore. Parvathipuram Manyam recorded sales of Rs 35.4 crore, while Sri Sathya Sai district reported nearly Rs 65 crore.
A senior excise department official offered an explanation for this anomaly: "Tourists might have picked up their stocks on their way to Araku or Paderu, as local sales did not reflect the actual turnout of tourists." This suggests that consumption happened elsewhere in the state before travelers reached these destinations.
The December 2025 figures ultimately highlight how seasonal festivities and changing social habits continue to significantly impact state excise revenues, with urban centers leading the consumption charge.
