Domestic sales by the members of the Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, 1 January – 31 March 2010
In the first quarter of 2010, sales of beer, cider, long drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters totalled 168.3 million litres. Total sales remained almost unchanged. Beer sales saw year-on-year growth of 4.9 per cent, while long drinks were up 8.3 per cent. Sales of cider and non-alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and mineral waters declined. The figures are based on sales statistics compiled by members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.
By the end of March, members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry had sold a total of 86.8 million litres of beer, up 4.0 million litres on the previous year. Long drink sales amounted to 7.9 million litres, rising by 0.7 million litres. Cider sales declined by 0.5 million litres compared with the previous year, down 6.8 per cent. Cider sales in the January-March period totalled 5.8 million litres.
Hartwall, Nokian Panimo, Olvi and Sinebrychoff sold less non-alcoholic drinks than in the January-March period of 2009. Soft drink sales in the first quarter amounted to 55.7 million litres and mineral water sales to 12.0 million litres. Sales of soft drinks were down 4.0 million litres, or 6.7 per cent. Mineral water sales in turn decreased by 0.4 million litres, a decline of 3.2 per cent.
Members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry sold a total of 168.3 million litres of beverages. Sales remained virtually unchanged, declining by 0.1 per cent, and were 0.2 million litres less than in the corresponding January-March period of the previous year. “This year, the Easter sales period was in the first quarter, which increased sales of beer and long drinks. Furthermore, breweries launched their new spring products earlier than they did last year, and this too is evident in the sales figures. On the other hand, the cold weather in the first months of the year may have affected demand for soft drinks and mineral waters. The recession has also impacted on consumption, particularly of mineral waters,” says Tero Kallio, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.
“Alcohol tax hikes have increased private imports of alcoholic beverages by travellers, which means that alcohol is more often consumed at home rather than at bars and restaurants. This poses a risk to both national health and government tax revenues. In the long run, growth in travellers’ private imports can impact on the competitiveness of the domestic brewing industry and thus on employment,” says Kallio.
Now that May Day and other spring holidays approach, the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry would like to remind all Finns to consume alcohol responsibly. With their ongoing campaign, “Drunk, You’re a Fool”, the Federation and its partners seek to influence the attitudes and drinking habits of young people.
“Finland has traditionally sought to reduce the adverse impacts of alcohol with heavy alcohol taxes, regulation and restrictions. Moderate use of such measures will certainly be necessary in the future, too, but we must also educate people how to enjoy alcohol responsibly. In Finland, the problem is not so much the total consumption of alcohol per capita, but our binge-drinking culture. The only means of permanently reducing the problems caused by alcohol is long-term education on responsible consumption,” says Kallio.
DOMESTIC SALES JANUARY - MARCH 2010
| Beverage |
2010 |
2009 |
Change |
Change |
| |
mill.l. |
mill.l. |
mill.l. |
% |
| Beer |
86.8 |
82.8 |
4.0 |
4.9 |
| Cider |
5.8 |
6.3 |
-0.5 |
-6.8 |
| Long drinks |
7.9 |
7.2 |
0.7 |
8.3 |
| Soft drinks |
55.7 |
59.7 |
-4.0 |
-6.7 |
| Mineral water |
12.0 |
12.4 |
-0.4 |
-3.2 |
| Total sales |
168.3 |
168.5 |
-0.2 |
-0.1 |
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.
For additional information, contact:
Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry
Managing Director Tero Kallio, tel. +358 9 148 871 (ETL exchange), GSM +358 40 729 4513
Communications Manager Pirjo Hästbacka, tel. +358 9 148 871 (ETL exchange), GSM +358 50 356 8359
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 represents Finland’s third largest industry in the food and drink branch in terms of the value of production.