Wine consumption to reach 9 mn litres by 2010; Assocham

New Delhi, Sept 17 (UNI) From over five million litres now, wine consumption in the country will touch nine million litres by 2010, according to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.

Projecting an annual growth of 25 per cent, Assocham said it will be driven by consumptiuon in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi and national capital region, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

"India's wine market is currently growing at 20 per cent but likely to grow at 25 per cent in the next two years in view of rising consumption wine patterns not only among youngsters but equally so in aged group," Chamber President Sajjan Jindal said.

The study said nearly 80 per cent demand is accounted for by New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Bangalore, adding 41 per cent of the wine quaffed in India is consumed in Western India, while North consumes 29 per cent.

Around 63 per cent of volume sales of wine is through off-trade channels such as five-star hotels, pubs and bar-restaurants, the study said.

Mr Jindal attributed projected growth to a large population below 30 years (650 million), attitudinal shift from hard drinks, rising disposable incomes and wine's availability in supermarkets.

Indians consumed more than 300 million cases of beer, 90 million cases of whisky, and other spirits and 8,20,000 cases of wine in 2007-08, Assocham said.

France accounts for almost half of India's wine imports and Italy 30 per cent, it added.

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