OREANDA-NEWS. On 01 June 2009 was announced, that sales of hard drinks in Belarus decreased year-on-year in January-April 2009, while sales of cigarettes increased, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in the first four months reached 1.439 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 12% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks and beer reached 2.878 million decaliters, down 0.5% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 4.8% year-on-year in the first quarter to 7.174 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 2.3% to 6 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 12.9% in the first four months; prices rose 3% in April 2009 on March 2009 and 15.3% in April 2008.

Cigarette prices increased 15.5% on the year in the first three months; in April, prices rose 0.7% on the month and 18% on the year.