OREANDA-NEWS. October 17, 2012. Belarus’ beer output decreased 8% on the year in January-September 2012 to 33.612 million decaliters, a representative in the concern Belgospischeprom told reporters.

In September alone Belarus’ beer output reduced 34.3% to 2,852 million decalitres.

OJSC Krinitsa, based in Minsk, produced 11.394 million decaliters of beer, down 7.1% on the year.

OJSC Olivaria, based in the city of Minsk, produced 5.853 million decaliters of beer in January-September 2012, an decrease of 13.3% on the year.

OJSC Brest Beer produced 1.83 million decalitres of beer, down 39.3%.

Heineken Breweries, decreased beer output 2.2% to 8.738 million decaliters.

OJSC Lidskoe Pivo (Lida Beer), in the Grodno Region, increased beer output 3.7% to 5.7 million decaliters.

Beer output in plastic bottles accounts for 78.8% of the total output at 26.483 million decaliters (down 5.5%), beer glass bottles - 12.9% to 4.333 million decaliters (down 27.9%), beer in kegs 7.3% at 2.463 million decaliters (up 5.3%) and beer in cans - 1% at 332,600 dal (up 71.6%).

Belarusian beer supplies to domestic wholesalers and retailers decreased 10.3% on the year in January-September 2012 to 28.335 million decaliters.

Belarusian companies’ export of beer grew 4.4% to 5.027 million decaliters.

Experts attribute the decline in beer output to the government’s move to raise the excise tax on beer and growing beer imports.

According to an official report, beer imports grew 27.7% to 8.614 million decalitres. The share of imported beer on Belarus’ beer market stood at 25% in January-August 2012 to compare with 18.8% in January-August 2011.