Latvia: Beer export, per capita consumption increase in 2011

In 2011, Latvian breweries increased export volumes by 70% when compared to 2010, the business information portal Nozare.lv cited on February, 14 Aldaris spokeswoman Laura Krastina.

"The tough economic circumstances have forced breweries to improve their financial figures by concentrating more on exporting their products," said Krastina.

She pointed out that almost 90% of the total volume shipped abroad was exported to Lithuania and Estonia. On the other hand, the remaining 10% were exported to such countries as Ireland, Great Britain, the United States and Canada, LETA reported.

This year, Latvia could see a 10% rise in beer exports, Inara Sure, head of Latvian Brewers Association, said.

According to market data, per capita beer consumption in Latvia in 2010 was at around 70 litres. This increased to about 81 litres per person in 2011. Thus, Latvia is nearing the beer consumption levels of Lithuania and Estonia – 83.4 litres and 85.4 litres per person respectively.

15 February, 2012