In 2018, country’s retail trade and catering enterprises sold 2.9 million dekalitres of spirits (vodka, whisky, brandy and the like), which is by 153 thousand dekalitres (5 per cent) less than in 2017, and 3.4 million dekalitres of wine and fermented beverages, which is by 823 thousand dekalitres (19.5 per cent) less than in 2017.
Just as every year, the bulk of sales fell within beer – 21.9 million dekalitres, or by 1.4 million dekalitres (5.9 per cent) less than in 2017.
In 2018, against 2017, retail prices of alcoholic beverages grew by 2.1 per cent, with the largest increase observed in prices of beer produced in Lithuania – 4.8, imported beer – 4, bitter – 3.9, vermouth – 3.8, vodka produced in Lithuania – 3.1 per cent, while whiskey went down in price by 2.5 per cent. The growth in prices of alcoholic beverages was conditioned by a higher excise duty applied since 1 March 2018.
In 2018, 0.963 million dekalitres of spirits, expressed in terms of absolute (100 per cent.) alcohol, were produced in Lithuania. Against 2017, their production decreased by 6.7 per cent.
In 2018, production of grape wine and vermouth amounted to 0.47 million dekalitres, or by 14.8 per cent more than in 2017. The production of fermented beverages amounted to 4.7 million dekalitres, which is by 13.4 per cent less than in 2017. In the group of fermented beverages, decrease was recorded in the production of non-sparkling beverages (47.6 per cent), cider (43 per cent), fruit and berry wine (17.1 per cent), and increase – in the production of sparkling fermented beverages (3.5 per cent). Beer production accounted for the largest proportion – 28.5 million dekalitres; however, over the year, it decreased by 3.8 per cent.
In 2018, against 2017, the largest increase was observed in imports and exports of spirits (10.8 and 25.8 per cent respectively) and beer (14.6 and 5.3 per cent respectively). Imports of fermented beverages decreased by 14.3 per cent, exports – increased by 5.1 per cent; imports and exports of wine decreased by 7.4 and 8.5 per cent respectively.
In 2018, against 2017, a decrease in the production, imports, exports and sales of alcoholic beverages, expressed in terms of absolute (100 per cent) alcohol, was observed.