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Hartwall, the first largest Finnish drinks group, has registered a sales rise of 3% up to 387.5 million litres of beverages in 2002, owning 45% stake of the brewing and soft drinks market, Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry reported on January 24.

According to Finnish Federation of the Brewing and Soft Drinks Industry, the second largest Finish drinks company is Sinebrychoff, which had 44.4% market shares in 2002 and sold in total 382 million litres of beer and soft drinks – 5.5% up from 2001, when the company sold 362.2 million litres. The third largest Finish beverages producer is Olvi, which had in 2002 10.5% stake in beer and soft drinks markets. However Olvi has registered a fall of sales in 2002 from 93.7 million litres to 90.2 million litres, compared to 2001.

Domestic sales of beer in Finland accounted 413.6 million litres of beer in 2002 – 5.2 million litres more than in 2001 or 1.3% up. Beer of moderate alcohol (max 4.7% alc. vol.) takes the first place in domestic sales of beer and accounts about 373.7 million litres, reported the Federation.

30 January, 2003