Beer Makers Ask for Import Relaxation Struggle with Can Shortage

The Indian beer industry is facing a serious shortage of aluminium cans which threatens to affect sales and growth. To manage this crisis, brewers are asking the government for temporary relief in import rules so that cans can be brought in quickly from overseas.

India’s main can suppliers BALL Beverage Packaging and Can Pack India are already producing at their maximum capacity. They have said that increasing production will take at least six months to a year because new lines need to be installed.

Scale of the Problem

The shortage is huge. The industry needs around 12 to 13 crore extra 500ml cans every year, equal to nearly 20% of India’s beer sales. This gap could cost the government around INR 1,300 crore (USD 147 million) in lost revenue from taxes.

From April 2025, the government has made it compulsory for imported cans to get BIS certification under a Quality Control Order (QCO). This has slowed imports. Although the government has extended the deadline for non-BIS cans until September 30, 2025, the Brewers Association of India (BAI) says this is not enough. They are asking for a full one-year delay, until April 2026.

Industry Raises Alarm

The head of United Breweries highlighted that the problem is not just rising costs but also the unavailability of packaging materials. BAI, which includes companies like AB InBev, Carlsberg, and United Breweries, has formally requested the government to push back the QCO enforcement.

The Indian beer sector is large, with more than 55 breweries, investments of INR 25,000 crore (USD 2.9 billion), and jobs for over 27,000 people. The shortage of cans is not only affecting beer companies but also related areas like agriculture, packaging, logistics, and retail. If not resolved, the issue could result in an annual revenue loss of INR 1,200–1,300 crore for both central and state governments.

Expanding domestic production will take time. Until then, brewers say allowing more flexible imports is the only way to prevent further supply disruptions and protect both industry growth and government income.

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