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PRESS RELEASE: 26.04.2007

Domestic sales by members of the Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry 1 January - 31 March 2007

Beverage sales up during the first quarter

Sales of beer, ciders, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters rose by 5.1 per cent during the first quarter. Growth was seen in all beverage categories with brewery beverage sales totalling 179.5 million litres. The largest relative increase was in long drink sales, which were up by 21.2 per cent. Soft drinks and mineral waters also exhibited brisk growth.

During the early spring, Finns drank a total of 179.5 million litres of Finnish brewery beverages – 8.7 million litres more than last year. A total of 89.1 million litres of beer were sold during the first quarter. Last year’s slump seems to be over, as this represents an increase of 3.1 million litres or 3.6 per cent.

Cider sales also rose by 3.6 per cent, but that only translates to 0.3 million litres. A total of 7.8 million litres of cider were sold during the first quarter. Long drink sales totalled 6.3 million litres during the early spring. This increase of 21.2 per cent on the corresponding period of last year represents the largest relative rise in sales.

Brisk growth was also seen in soft drinks, the second largest category of brewery beverages. At the end of March, total sales had risen by 3.3 million litres, or 5.6 per cent, to 62.0 million litres. Sugar-free beverages accounted for 34.5 per cent of sales. Sales of mineral waters rose to 14.2 million litres, up 7.1 per cent on last year.

Alcohol tax amendments should be introduced gradually and over winter time

“There has only been a moderate rise in sales of alcoholic beverages and private imports made by travellers to Estonia are also under control,” says Timo Jaatinen, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.

“The forthcoming increase in alcohol taxation should happen gradually during the government’s term. Increases should be made during the winter months when traffic between Finland and Estonia is less frequent. The impact on private imports will then remain at a minimum.”

DOMESTIC SALES JANUARY - MARCH 2007

Beverage	2007 mill. l	2006 mill. l	Change mill. l	Change %
Beer	89.1	86.0	3.1	3.6
Cider	7.8	7.6	0.3	3.6
Long drinks	6.3	5.2	1.1	21.2
Soft drinks	62.0	58.7	3.3	5.6
Mineral water	14.2	13.3	0.9	7.1
Total sales	179.5	170.8	8.7	5.1

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.