Norway: Norwegian beer consumption made up of 5.4 million liters of in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2003, according to new figures released by Statistics Norway (SSB) on September 23. The figures do not include Norwegian citizens' purchases abroad, the SSB said.

The total registered consumption was 10.9 million liters of alcohol. Norwegians also consumed 3.3 million liters of wine, 2 million liters of spirits and 0.2 million liters of ' alcopops,' pre-mixed alcoholic soft drinks for the period. The figures are calculated on the basis of registered import and figures reported to the Directorate of Customs and Excise (TAD) by businesses that pay tax on alcohol sales. "Measured in pure alcohol, each person over the age of 14 drank 2.94 liters of alcohol during the first six months of 2004," the SSB said in its report.

25 September, 2004