Statistics on alcohol sales, Q3 2003

Measured in pure alcohol the registered consumption of spirits increased by 188 000 litres the third quarter 2003 compared with the same period 2002.

Still more alco pops

Registered consumption of alco pops increased by 2.4 million litres the third quarter 2003 compared with the corresponding quarter 2002. Consumption of alco pops in the first nine month this year increased by 9.7 million litres compared with the same period last year.

4.36 litres of alcohol per capita

Each inhabitant of Norway older than 14 years consumed 4.36 litres of pure alcohol during the first nine months of 2003, an increase of 0.16 litres of alcohol or 3.8 per cent from the same period in 2002. Total registered consumption of pure alcohol in the first nine months this year was 15.9 million litres. This divides into 7.5 million litres of beer, 4.7 million litres of wine, 2.9 million litres of spirit and 0.6 million litres of alco pops, all in litres of pure alcohol.

The figures are calculated on the basis of the monthly questionnaires that each business sends to the Directorarate of Customs and Excise (TAD) and registered import. The figures do not include Norwegian private citizens' purchase of alcohol abroad.

Tables:

• Table 1 Consumption of spirits, wine and beer. 1 000 litres
• Table 2 Consumption of spirits, wine and beer per capita 15 years and over. Litres