Statistics on alcohol sales, Q4 2004

The registered turnover of pure alcohol was almost 22.8 million litres of pure alcohol, distributed between 10.9 million litres of beer, 7.0 million litres of wine, 4.6 million litres of spirits and 0.4 million litres of alcopops.

The figures are calculated based on registered imports and figures reported to the Directorate of Customs and Excise (TAD) by businesses that pay tax on alcohol sales. The figures do not include Norwegian citizens' purchase of alcohol abroad.

Highest increase for beer

The turnover of beer increased by 22.0 million litres, or 9.7 per cent, from 2003 to 2004. From the fourth quarter of 2003 to the fourth quarter of 2004 the turnover of beer rose by 3.4 million litres, or 6.0 per cent.

Alcopops down 50 per cent

The registered turnover of alcopops was 8.7 million litres in 2004, which is 50 per cent or 9.0 million lower than in 2003. In the fourth quarter of 2004 the turnover decreased by 1.1 million litres compared with the fourth quarter of 2003.

Wine up 3 per cent

In 2004, the turnover of wine was 57.8 million litres, an increase of 1.7 million litres, or 3.0 per cent from 2003. The registered turnover of wine was 16.8 million litres in the fourth quarter of 2004, an increase of 521 000 litres, or 3.2 per cent, compared with the same period in 2003. The registered turnover of spirit increased by 388 000 litres, or 3.5 per cent, from 2003 to 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2004 the turnover rose by 98 000 litres, or 2.6 per cent, compared with the fourth quarter of 2003.

Tables:

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