OREANDA-NEWS. September 6, 2010. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-July 2010, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-July 2010 reached 3.341 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 12.2% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 5.803 million decaliters, up 4.6% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 21.2% year-on-year in January-July to 19.105 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 11.1% on the year in January-July 2010 to 13.2 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 10.3% in January-July 2010 on the year; prices rose 8.3% in July 2010 on the year and 1.9% from June 2010.

Cigarette prices increased 6.1% on the year in January-July 2010, an increase of 3% in July 2010 year-on-year. Cigarette prices did not change in July.