It features interesting articles like:

·      Iswai, Scotch Whisky Association and industry call FTA ‘a game-changer’

·      Taxes could affect Indian alcobev industry

·      Tilaknagar Industries to acquire Imperial Blue from Pernod Ricard India

·      Abhishek Modi works off his own manual. And that’s exactly why Rockford works.

Will the FTA Reshape India’s Alcobev Future

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History was made this July as India and the United Kingdom finally signed their long-negotiated Free Trade Agreement, marking a seismic shift in global alcobev dynamics. For the first time, Scotch whisky, British gin, Bottled-in-Origin (BIO) and bulk imports which are used for making Bottled in India (BIO) products as well as blending with IMFL will enjoy sharply reduced tariffs when entering India – dropping immediately from 150% to 75%, with a gradual reduction to 40% over the next decade. ISWAI calls this more than just a trade pact – for them and international makers – it’s a signal that India’s alcohol market is being redefined.

Now, India is already the world’s largest whisky consumer and the premium segment is growing rapidly. With rising disposable incomes, greater urbanisation and a young, curious consumer base, the country’s alcobev market is poised for robust growth all the way to 2035. This FTA could be the accelerator that not only opens the doors for premium global spirits but also nudges Indian producers to innovate and compete on even greater quality and branding.

While the effects of the FTA may be most visible in the shelves of India’s premium retail outlets and luxury hotel bars, its real impact is expected to be long-term. For consumers, the availability of aged Scotch whiskies at marginally lower price points will elevate the drinking experience. For Indian spirits companies, the competition will push them to rethink strategy, invest in premiumisation and perhaps even explore global exports with more urgency.

And this couldn’t have come at a better time for the global beverage alcohol industry. 2024 was a tepid year for Total Beverage Alcohol (TBA) volumes across traditional markets, many of which were weighed down by inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. For global alcobev giants, developing markets like India now represent the future – dynamic, untapped and increasingly premium.

Meanwhile, the Scotch whisky industry continues to raise its own bar. In 2024, global exports touched a record £5.4 billion. With India’s tariff barriers easing, the country could soon become one of the top value markets for Scotch, not just by volume but in prestige and premiumisation too.

The bottom line: This FTA is not just about bottles crossing borders – it’s may be about cultures converging, markets maturing and possibly a shared opportunity to shape the next era of premium spirits.