Alcohol Inflation has Hit Goans After Feni Prices Doubled to Rs 8,000 Per Can

The rising price of petrol and diesel is not the only issue plaguing the common man in Goa. Feni, the state's heritage brew, has also become more expensive for the average Goan, rising from Rs 4,000 per can (35 litres) to Rs 7,000 to 8,000. As a result, stakeholders have expressed concern that some miscreants may begin producing counterfeit versions of the popular drink.
The Goa government-designated Feni, the state's most popular drink, as a state heritage drink in 2016. Cashew feni is also the country's first indigenous liquor to be granted Geographical Indication status, a process initiated by the brew's local producers in 2009.

According to feni producers, an unprecedented drop in cashew production in Goa has impacted cashew feni production. "We were expecting that the price of cashew feni may be hiked by 20 to 30 percent. But to our surprise, it has almost doubled as compared to last year's rate. Now the feni producers are charging Rs 7,000 to 8,000 for a single can of 35 liters. This rate will remain constant till the next production is done," Shailesh Naik, a retailer, told IANS.