Pernod Ricard India retains top spot in India’s alcohol sector with US$305M in FY25 sales
Pernod Ricard India leads Diageo and United Breweries in value as the Indian spirits market shows steady domestic momentum.
INDIA – Pernod Ricard India has retained its position as the largest alcoholic beverage company in India by value in the financial year ending March 2025, narrowly surpassing Diageo India on consolidated sales and total income.
According to financial data, Pernod Ricard India posted consolidated sales of Rs 27,445.80 crore (US$305 million) in FY25, just ahead of Diageo India’s Rs 27,276 crore (US$303 million) in revenue from operations during the same period.
When other income is included, Diageo India reported total income of Rs 27,612 crore (US$307 million), while Pernod Ricard India’s total income reached Rs 27,663.56 crore (US$307 million), reflecting a 2.7 percent increase over the previous year.
Together, the combined income of the two global spirits giants’ Indian subsidiaries amounted to Rs 55,275.6 crore (US$614 million), underscoring their dominant position in India’s regulated and highly competitive alcoholic beverage market.
The next largest player by income was United Breweries Ltd (UBL), now owned by Dutch brewing major Heineken. UBL reported consolidated income of Rs 19,444.44 crore (US$216 million) in FY25, placing it well behind the two spirits-focused multinationals but ahead of other domestic and international competitors.
Pernod Ricard India operates as a fully owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard South Asia, itself a step-down unit of the French spirits group. Its portfolio in India includes international labels such as Absolut, Chivas Regal, and Glenlivet, along with the Seagram range, which houses brands like Blenders Pride, 100 Pipers, Longitude 77, and the recently launched Xclamat!on.
Last year, the company strategically divested its Imperial Blue portfolio to Tilaknagar Industries, sharpening its focus on higher-margin segments of the market.
On the profitability front, Pernod Ricard India reported a net profit of Rs 1,734.59 crore (US$19 million), an 8 percent increase compared with Rs 1,605.99 crore in the previous year.
Total expenses rose by 2.23 percent to Rs 25,321.33 crore (US$282 million), while advertising and promotional expenses and tax outlays also increased modestly.
Domestic sales continued to be the primary revenue driver, contributing Rs 27,099.38 crore (US$301 million), while exports accounted for Rs 274.86 crore (US$3 million) in FY25.
Last month, Pernod Ricard India chief executive officer Jean Touboul said the company aims to achieve “double-digit” growth in India, attributing the ambition to premiumisation, innovation and participation in higher-value categories, signaling a continued strategic emphasis on margin-led expansion.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
