During this year’s Onam festival in Kerala, liquor sales have hit a new high, bringing in more money than ever before. The state saw liquor sales worth Rs 826.38 crore in just ten days before Uthradam, which is about Rs 50 crore more than last year.
On the festival day itself, liquor sales reached Rs 137 crore, compared to Rs 126 crore during the same time last year. This trend shows how popular and in-demand alcohol remains during Kerala’s biggest festival season.
The Karunagappally store had the highest sales on Uthradam day, selling Rs 146.08 lakh worth of liquor. Other top-selling outlets included the Asramam store in Kollam with Rs 123 lakh and the Edappal store with Rs 110.79 lakh. In fact, six outlets across the state sold over Rs 1 crore each during Onam.
Liquor sales are a major source of revenue for the Kerala government. The state has the highest per capita alcohol consumption in India, relying heavily on income from state-run liquor shops.
While the surge in liquor sales brings in more money to the government, health experts and social groups are worried. They point out that increased alcohol consumption can lead to social issues and health problems, especially during festivals.
In Kerala, alcohol is sold at around 325 retail outlets run by the government’s Corporation and Consumerfed. Data shows that approximately 32.9 lakh people in a population of 3.34 crore drink alcohol, including about 29.8 lakh men and 3.1 lakh women. About five lakh people drink daily, and among them, around 83,851 individuals, including 1,043 women, are addicted to alcohol.
These figures highlight how Onam continues to be a major driver of liquor sales in Kerala. As the numbers reach new heights, the debate over earning revenue versus addressing public health concerns remains a key issue in the state.
