OREANDA-NEWS. March 29, 2011. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-February 2011, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-February 2011 reached 908.8 billion Belarusian rubles (Br), 10.8% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 1.503 million decaliters, up 10% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 25.1% year-on-year in January-February to 4.567 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 7.5% on the year in January-February 2010 to 3.1 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 13% in January-February 2011 on the year; prices rose 12.8% in February 2011 on the year and 0.2% from January 2011.

Cigarette prices increased 5.5% on the year in January-February 2011. Cigarette prices rose 5.8% on the year in February 2011.