The country's lone state-run distillery Carew & Company (Bangladesh) is planning to double alcohol production through an automation project and go for market expansion observing a recent hike in sales.

A proposal has already been sent to the industries ministry.

Sales rose by over 50 per cent year-on-year in the October to December period last year, said officials.

In October it was 18,579 cases, November 19,446 cases and December over 21,000 cases. One case contains 12 bottles which are each of 750 ml capacity, 24 bottles of 375 ml and 48 bottles of 175 ml.

Around 12,000 to 13,000 cases are sold on an average every month. Production is also set to this tune, but currently only half of the capacity at the distillery in Darshana of Chuadanga district is in use.

In fiscal year 2020-21, the company made a profit of Tk 195 crore from alcohol sales.

Stocks of sugarcane brought for crushing at Darsana Sugar Mills in Darshana of Chuadanga district. The compound houses the country’s lone state-run distillery Carew & Company (Bangladesh), run by the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation. The company is planning to double liquor production and expand the market. The photo was taken recently. Photo: Star

The government is implementing a Tk 102.21 crore project scheduled to be completed in 2022, automating the full use of the distillery's capacity, Managing Director Mosharraf Hossain told The Daily Star.

The market expansion is being planned through the opening of three more sales centres at Rooppur, Cox's Bazar and Kuakata and two warehouses at Rajshahi and Ramu of Cox's Bazar.

The company currently has 13 warehouses and three sales centres.

The Department of Narcotics Control has already given approval to two of the new sales centres while a memorandum of understanding will be signed with Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation to runthe sales centres, said officials.

PRODUCTS

The 83-year-old company has nine brands: Yellow Label Malted Whiskey, Gold Ribbon Gin, Fine Brandy, Cherry Brandy, Imperial Whiskey, Orange Curaçao, Tsarina Vodka, Rosa Rum and Old Rum.

According to the company sources, the distillery currently produces 10.80 lakh proof litres of "foreign liquor", 26 lakh litres of "domestic spirits" and 8 lakh litres of "denatured spirits" a month.

It also produces vinegar, hand sanitiser, fertiliser, sugar and molasses.