Diageo's Indian unit's profit jumps on premium demand

United Spirits

14/05/2026 14:33

May 14 (Reuters) - India's United Spirits UNSP.NS, which distributes Johnnie Walker and Antiquity whiskeys, posted about a 27% rise in fourth quarter profit on Friday, boosted by demand for its premium brands.

Diageo's DGE.L Indian unit posted a profit of 5.71 billion rupees ($59.63 million) for the quarter ended March 31, compared with 4.51 billion rupees the previous year

In March, an industry body representing global brewers such as Heineken, Anheuser‑Busch InBev ABI.BR and Carlsberg CARLb.CO told Reuters that surging glass bottle prices and a doubling of paper carton rates could trigger price hikes and supply disruptions, as gas shortages linked to the Iran war persist

Revenue grew 4.4% to 68.38 billion rupees, while expenses also climbed at about a similar rate of 4.1% for the quarter, from the year ago

Net sales value in United Spirits' premium segment, which includes Black & White whiskey and Tanqueray gin, rose 5% year-on-year

In March, the company sold its Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.78 billion to a consortium which it said on Thursday will sharpen focus on the core beverage alcohol business

Karnataka, one of India's highest‑tax alcohol markets, said in March it will scrap government price controls and shift to strength‑based excise taxation from April 2026, allowing companies to set prices while cutting tax slabs.

"We welcome the progressive policy in the state of Karnataka, which has the potential to provide a fillip to the premiumisation journey in the state," said CEO Praveen Someshwar

($1 = 95.7625 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar)

 ((UrviManoj.Dugar@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9558725583;))