Lockdown: Liquor traders in Goa fear shortage of stocks

Panaji, May 2 () Even as the Centre's amendedguidelines for the COVID-19 lockdown will open up liquorstores in Goa, traders are concerned that they might run outof stocks, as the ban on foreign imports remains in place.

According to liquor traders, stocks of foreign-madealcohol may dry up in the next two months, as most scotchwhiskeys were brought in from UK, while several imports weremade from France, Spain and Italy, which are severely hit bythe pandemic.

At least 1,300 liquor outlets would be stocked up wellwhen they resume operations on May 4, said Dattaprasad Naik,president of Goa Liquor Traders' Association.

However, beer stocks may dry up in the next eight to10 days, as supply from neighbouring states was disruptedafter Goa sealed its borders, he said.

Although some brands of whiskey were manufactured inGoa, the base alcohol used for production was sourced fromother states, especially Uttar Pradesh, Naik said.

Liquor stores in the coastal state had downed theirshutters, when the Centre announced the lockdown last month tocontain the spread of coronavirus.

Sale of alcohol may drop by 70 per cent once thebusiness resumes, as tourism has been suspended in the state,Naik said.

"Majority of liquor consumers in Goa are tourists andonly 30 per cent of the supplies are for locals," he said,adding that the liquor trade may not gain momentum, as tourismmay not resume any time soon. RPSARU ARU