Alcohol, Latvia, Markets and Companies

In January – September this year, a slight 3.6% increase was registered in sales of strong beer; and 0.6% for sales of low price beer. On the other hand, sales of beer kegs for beer on tap at bars, pubs and restaurants plunged by 30%, Sure informed.

"There is a strong competition in beer market this year. Beer producers are even ready to sacrifice earnings to conquer an additional market share or save the existing one. The recession has made also the alcohol smugglers become more active, they are conquering the beer market with significantly cheaper smuggle beer from Latvia's neighbor countries," Sure said.

The beer industry representative expressed satisfaction over the fact that the next year's state budget plan does not foresee raising the excise tax on beer, writes LETA.

As reported, Aldaris posted LVL 3.32 million in profit last year, and turned over LVL 36.4 million.

In 2007, Aldaris posted LVL 6.8 million profit.

Aldaris was established in 1865, it is the largest brewery in Latvia and among the major ones in the Baltic countries. Aldaris is a "Carlsberg" group company.

Aldaris produces around 50 types of drinks in five categories – beer, drinking water, alcoholic cocktails, soft drinks and energy drinks.