Domestic sales of the Brewing and Soft Drinks industry 2002
Press release 24 January 2003
Domestic sales in the brewing and soft drinks industry in 2002 Mineral waters and soft drinks spur sales growth
The Sales in the Finnish brewing and soft drinks industry reached record figures in 2002, thanks mainly to mineral waters and soft drinks. The industry sold 861.1 million litres of beverages, up 27.7 million litres or 3.3% compared with the year before. The biggest growth factor was the development of sales of mineral waters and soft drinks, which were nearly as high as sales of beer.
In spite of the hot summer, beer sales rose by only 1.3% in 2002. Beer sales totalled 413.6 million litres, which was 5.2 million litres more than the year before. Growth came from sales of medium-strength beer. The effects of private imports were reflected in declining sales of strong beer. Consumption not covered by statistics remains large and will increase sharply with the loosening of import restrictions.
Retail shops' share of beer sales rose slightly while state alcohol monopoly shops' share remained unchanged and restaurants' share fell. Retail shops accounted for 69.2% of beer sales, state alcohol monopoly shops 5.0% and restaurants 25.8%.
Sales of long drinks rose by 5.6 million litres or 32.7% in 2002 and totalled 22.5 million litres. This was accompanied by a slight decline in cider sales, which totalled 50.5 million litres, down 0.9 million litres or 1.7%.
Mineral waters and soft drinks showed the strongest growth in 2002. Sales of mineral waters reached 63.6 million litres, up 7.0%. Mineral waters' popularity has been rising for a number of years and consumption averaged over 12 litres per person last year. Sales of soft drinks rose by a full 13.7 million litres or 4.6% to 310.9 million litres. Light drinks accounted for over a fourth of the total. Cola and orange are still the top flavours, but other flavours' popularity has grown.
Additional information:
Communications Manager Katri Tuulensuu
tel. +358 9 1488 71 (switchboard), mobile +358 40 777 1938
Managing Director Risto Saarinen, Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, tel. +358 9 1488 71 (switchboard)
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The next press release on sales will be published on 29 April 2003 at 9am.
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 Oyj Hartwall Abp, 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 oldest branches of industry in Finland.
