The Brazilian government has cut beer duties to avoid shortages during the World Cup because local brewers warned they would be unable to meet surging demand despite sharply increasing production. Import levies are being cut from 16 percent to 2 percent.

"The industry itself declared in a letter to the Foreign Trade Chamber that it won't be able to satisfy the increase in demand," said Anamelia Seyffarth, an official at the chamber. Brazil is the world's fourth largest beer consumer, behind leader China, the USA and Germany.

Meanwhile, Brazil's bank workers have been granted a request to quit work early on days when Brazil plays to watch the games live on television.