Domestic sales in the brewing and soft drinks industry, 1 January - 31 March 2003

Press release 29 April 2003

Domestic sales in the brewing and soft drinks industry, 1 January - 31 March 2003

Beverage sales down in first quarter, timing of Easter hampers comparison

The Finnish brewing and soft drinks industry's domestic sales during the first quarter of 2003 were lower than the year before. Beverage sales totalled 169.4 million litres, down 6.9 million litres or 3.9% from January-March 2002. Comparability is hampered by the fact that Easter was not in the first quarter this year. Consequently figures do not reflect the development of beverage sales in the spring as a whole.

Domestic beer sales totalled 81.1 million litres up to the end of March. This was 5.5 million litres or 6.3% less than the year before. Beer sales were down in every sales channel. Sales of medium-strength beer in shops fell in particular. Sales of long drinks increased slightly and totalled 4.2 million litres, up 0.3 million litres or 8.5% over the year before. Cider sales declined by 1.3 million litres to 7.6 million litres. Together sales of beer, cider and long drinks fell by 6.4%.

Sales of soft drinks and mineral waters during the first quarter remained roughly unchanged. Sales of soft drinks totalled 64.1 million litres up to the end of March. Sales of mineral waters totalled 12.4 million litres, down 0.5 million litres from the year before.  

Urgent need to lower beer tax
Finland's temporary exemption concerning the restriction of private imports of alcoholic beverages from other EU countries will expire at the end of this year. This will allow Finns to drink cheaper alcohol. The necessary tax adjustment must be made to ensure employment in the branch and other industries as well as agricultural production. The traditional policy of giving preference to mild beverages should not be forgotten in this process.

Managing Director Risto Saarinen, Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, tel. +358 9 1488 71 (switchboard)

The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry promotes the interests of producers of beer, cider, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters in Finland. Its members are Oy Hartwall Ab, Olvi Oyj, Pirkanmaan Uusi Panimo - PUP Oy and Oy Sinebrychoff Ab. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry operates in connection with the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation and represents one of the largest branches of industry in Finland.