OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2011. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-November 2010, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-November 2010 reached 5.502 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 12% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 9.312 million decaliters, up 6% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 23.1% year-on-year in January-November to 31.388 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 8.8% on the year in January-November 2010 to 21 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 10.7% in January-November 2010 on the year; prices rose 12% in November 2010 on the year and 0.5% from October 2010.

Cigarette prices increased 4.9% on the year in January-November 2010. Cigarette prices rose 2.7% on the year in November 2010 and remained flat on October 2010.