Slovak Brewers are expecting a bad year in 2004 when excise duty will increase by between Sk2.25 and Sk4.45 (€0.05 and €0.11) per bottle of beer. Experts expect a fall in beer consumption of up to 30 percent as prices increase, The Slovak Spectator reported in a statement.

"This year the price of a bottle of beer rose by Sk1 due to increases in excise duty and energy costs, and in the first quarter we have already seen a 9 percent drop in sales," said Roman Šusták, director of the Slovak Brewers Association.

Slovakia currently has one of the lowest taxes on beer in Europe, but the changes would bring Slovak taxation levels to above those in many European countries including Austria, Germany, and France.

22 May, 2003