Cider sales were up 5.5% and sales of mineral waters saw year-on-year growth of about 1%. Sales of beer, long drinks and soft drinks 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 83.5m litres of beer, down 3.4m litres or 3.9% on the previous year. Long drink sales amounted to 7.6m litres, a decline of 0.3m litres, or 3.4%. Cider sales were up 0.3m litres, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%. Cider sales in January-March totalled 6.2m litres.
By the end of March, Hartwall, Nokian Panimo, Olvi and Sinebrychoff had sold 54.4m litres of soft drinks, 1.3m litres (2.4%) less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Mineral water sales amounted to 12.2m litres. Sales of mineral waters increased by 0.1m litres, or 1.1%. Costs rise – no to tax hikes
The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry reminds that the markets of the brewing industry are becoming ever more challenging. For instance, the industry is beset by constantly rising costs. The costs of companies in the food and drink industry rose by 5.2% on average last year. Further increases in energy costs, raw material costs and other material costs are expected this year.
The changing markets and soaring costs weaken the competitiveness of the Finnish brewing industry. The Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry is highly concerned that new tax hikes are being proposed in this market situation.
“Finland already has the highest beer tax in the European Union,” says Elina Ussa, MD of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry. “It’s almost five times as high as the Estonian beer tax. As a result of the tax increases, travellers’ private imports of alcoholic beverages have grown. There’s a great risk that each new tax hike will increase the volume of private imports.
“Pressures from different quarters have put the brewing industry in a tight spot. If profitability declines too low, even in spite of efficiency boosting measures, Finnish companies will be left in a weaker position to successfully compete against foreign brands. There is no question that we must refrain from imposing new restrictions and tax hikes on the Finnish brewing industry.”
Source: Member companies of the Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry.
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