PRESS RELEASE:
16.08.2007
Domestic sales by members of the Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry 1 January - 30 June 2007
First-half beverage sales growth levels out
According to the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry’s statistics, a total of 423.7 million litres of beer, cider, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters had been sold by the end of June. Beverage sales were up 2.3 per cent on last year. First-half growth figures indicate that beverage sales have levelled out, and beer sales in Finland rose by only one per cent.
Finns drank a total of 423.7 million litres of Finnish brewery beverages during the first half of the year. By the end of June, total sales had risen by 2.3 per cent, or 9.5 million litres, compared to last year. First-half growth figures indicate that sales levelled out towards the end of the review period.
Growth in beer sales slowed during the first half of the year. By the end of June, only one per cent more beer had been sold than last year. A total of 212.6 million litres of beer was sold in the January-June period – 2.1 million litres more than last year.
First-half cider sales totalled 20.3 million litres. Although cider sales remained at the same level as in the previous year, the popularity of long drinks continued into the second quarter. By the end of June, long drink sales had risen to 16.1 million litres. In such a small beverage category, this increase of 2.6 million litres represents growth of 19.1 per cent on last year.
Mineral waters also continued to sell well. Water sales grew by 7.6 per cent and passed the 35-million-litre mark by the end of June. 139.6 million litres of soft drinks were sold during the first half of the year, up 1.7 per cent on last year.
Moderation in alcohol tax discussions
Last year, private imports of beer by travellers fell to such a degree that total beer consumption in Finland decreased. Private imports of beer are still falling according to first-half travellers’ statistics.
“In this situation, increases in beer taxation should not be rushed in case private imports pick up again. It’s preferable that beverages are purchased in Finland,” says Timo Jaatinen, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.
DOMESTIC SALES JANUARY - JUNE 2007
Beverage
|
2007
mill. l
|
2006
mill. l
|
Change
mill. l
|
Change
%
|
Beer
|
212.6
|
210.5
|
2.1
|
1.0
|
Cider
|
20.3
|
20.3
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Long drinks
|
16.1 |
13.5
|
2.6
|
19.1
|
Soft drinks
|
139.6 |
137.3 |
2.4
|
1.7
|
Mineral water
|
35.0
|
32.5 |
2.5
|
7.6
|
Total sales
|
423.7
|
414.1 |
9.5 |
2.3
|
Source: Member companies of the Federation of the
Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry. The statistics do not include sales by actors
outside the Federation, nor private imports of brewery products, which are not
statistically recorded.
Additional information:
Communications Manager Katri Tuulensuu, tel. +358 (0)9 1488 7601, GSM +358 (0)40 777 1938
Managing Director Timo Jaatinen, tel. +358 (0)9 1488 71
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, Nokian Panimo Oy, Olvi Oyj 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 is among the four largest industries in the food and drink branch in terms of the value of production.
