Distell Group Holdings Ltd. expressed frustration after alcohol drinks makers, smarting from bans that crippled their sales during coronavirus lockdowns, were hit with an 8% increase on excise duties in Wednesday’s budget. The increased levy is likely to boost the market for illicit booze that exploded during South Africa’s lockdowns.
While the government contends that the higher taxes are aimed at reducing harmful drinking, “I’m not sure that’s necessarily the case,” Richard Rushton, Distell’s chief executive officer, said in an interview. “These hikes are sadly just going to essentially push an increasing amount of consumption to the gray market.”