Sales of brewery beverages in Finland rise back to a normal level

A total of 163.9 million litres of brewery beverages were sold in January-March 2015. Domestic sales of beer, cider, long drinks, mineral waters and soft drinks grew by 15.6 million litres, or 10.6 per cent. These figures are based on sales statistics compiled by the members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry: Captol Invest, Hartwall, Nokian Panimo, Olvi, Red Bull, Saimaan Juomatehdas and Sinebrychoff.

In spite of growth of over 10 per cent to 163.9 million litres, domestic sales in January-March 2015 were not exceptionally good, as domestic sales in the comparison period, January-March 2014, were at an all-time low of only 148.2 million litres. Sales for January-March 2015 returned almost to the same level as in 2013, when they amounted to 164.4 million litres.

Both alcohol and soft drink taxes were increased at the beginning of 2014. Stores and restaurants stocked up on beverages at the end of 2013 before the tax hike came into effect. As a result, beverage sales plummeted at the beginning of 2014.

“Domestic sales of brewery beverages have returned to the same level as in 2013. Worryingly, however, on-trade sales are still on the decline. In order to steer consumption into bars and restaurants, the VAT on on-trade alcohol sales should be lowered and happy hour advertising permitted,” says Elina Ussa, Managing Director of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.

In January-March 2015, member companies of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry sold a total of 83.4 million litres of beer. This represents a year-on-year increase of 7.0 million litres, or 9.1 per cent. Long drink sales totalled 6.9 million litres and cider sales 5.9 million litres. Long drink sales rose by 0.1 million litres, or 1.3 per cent, and cider sales by 0.5 million litres, or 8.6 per cent.

Sales of non-alcoholic beverages saw the greatest increase. Soft drink sales amounted to 53.8 million litres. Sales in this beverage group were up 6.5 million litres, or 13.8 per cent. Mineral water sales totalled 13.9 million litres, representing growth of 1.6 million, or 13.0 per cent.

DOMESTIC SALES 1 Jan. 2015 – 31 Mar. 2015

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. As of the beginning of 2011, the statistics include all the brands of the members of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry and any private label brands they produce.

Additional information:
Managing Director Elina Ussa, tel. +358 (0)45 269 7711
Communications Manager Outi Heikkinen, tel. +358 (0)50 370 8677

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