STALLION In short: AB InBev India says cans are about 30% of total industry volumes and that demand is shifting from bottles to cans. The Brewers Association of India reported a shortage of 12 to 13 crore 500 ml cans a year. More cans sold means more empty cans to collect.
What the brewers say
Kartikeya Sharma, president of AB InBev India, told Moneycontrol in December 2025 that cans account for about 30% of total industry volumes and that "demand is significantly shifting from bottles to cans."
He gave format reasons: cans chill faster, are easier to carry, and are less likely to break on a two-wheeler. He also pointed to changing lifestyles and convenience among urban drinkers.
The 500 ml can shortage
The Brewers Association of India estimates a yearly shortage of 12 to 13 crore 500 ml cans, which AL Circle reported as nearly 20% of the country's beer sales. Ball Beverage Packaging India and Can-Pack India had both hit full production capacity at home, and both said expansion would take six to twelve months.
A quality control order added a second squeeze. From 1 April 2025 aluminium cans needed BIS certification. The deadline for importing uncertified cans was pushed to 30 September 2025, and the brewers asked for a further extension to April 2026, saying the first extension still left importing impractical.
What it means for the empties
Every can sold is a can that will be empty within hours. In a city like Dehradun the empties pile up in bars, restaurants, cafes and homes.
A bar that goes through 200 cans on a busy weekend is holding about ₹300 of cans at our ₹1.5 per can. That is an example, not a promise of volume. In the wet bin, those cans earn nothing.
Cans and bottles in the same bin
Switching from glass to cans changes what a venue has to deal with. Glass bottles are heavy and break. Cans are light, stack in a sack, and are worth money to a collector.
If you run a bar or restaurant, our venue service sets up bins and a fixed pickup day. We currently collect cans and PET bottles. For glass, message us.
Common questions
Why are beer cans in short supply in India?
Demand has grown faster than domestic can capacity. The Brewers Association of India estimates a yearly shortage of 12 to 13 crore 500 ml cans, and the two main can makers were at full capacity in October 2025.
What share of beer is sold in cans in India?
AB InBev India's president said in December 2025 that cans account for about 30% of total industry volumes. The Brewers Association's shortfall figure is nearly 20% of beer sales.
Are cans better for the environment than bottles?
It depends on recycled content and how often the container is returned. We went through the studies in a separate guide.
Do you collect beer cans in Dehradun?
Yes. We collect used aluminium cans of any drink from homes and venues in Dehradun and pay ₹1.5 per can on collection.
Sources
Next steps
Turn your empties into a regular payout.
Bins, a fixed pickup day and payment on the spot for bars, restaurants and cafes in Dehradun.