OREANDA-NEWS. March 29, 2010. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-February 2010, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-February 2010 reached 822.9 billion Belarusian rubles (Br), 12.3% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 1.459 million decaliters, up 0.9% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 15.2% year-on-year in January-February to 3.962 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 9.2% in January-February 2010 to 3.1 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 13.1% in January-February 2010 on the year; prices rose 12.9% in February 2010 on the year and 0.7% from January 2010.

Cigarette prices increased 10.6% on the year in January-February 2010, an increase of 10.6% in February 2010 year-on-year. Cigarette prices did not change in February.