New Zealand: Volume of alcoholic beverage available for consumption increases in 2013

The volume of alcoholic beverage available for consumption in New Zealand increased 8.9 million litres (1.9 percent) in 2013, following a 15 million litre decrease in 2012, Statistics New Zealand said on February 25. In 2013, 466 million litres were available, compared with the 2008 high point (486 million litres).

"Beer and wine drove the increase in total beverage available for consumption in 2013," industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said. "However, spirit-based drinks fell, following rises in recent years".

The total volume of beer increased 8.9 million litres (3.2 percent), led by medium-strength beer, which was up 11 million litres. The total volume of wine increased 3.7 million litres (3.6 percent), due to nongrape table wine (including cider) increasing 5.2 million litres. Spirit-based drinks partly offset these increases, falling 3.9 million litres (6.2 percent).

The volume of pure alcohol available increased 0.8 percent, to 33 million litres in 2013. Beer led this increase, up 387,000 litres, but was partly offset by spirit-based drinks, down 297,000 litres.

The volume of pure alcohol available per person aged 15 years and over (15+) was unchanged from 2012, at 9.2 litres per person. This is equivalent to an average of 2.0 standard drinks per person per day (aged 15+).

Alcohol statistics are a measure of how much alcohol is available for consumption, rather than actual consumption.

26 February, 2014