OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2011. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-March 2011, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-March 2011 reached 1.398 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 10.6% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 2.314 million decaliters, up 9.7% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 26% year-on-year in January-March to 7.152 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 5.4% on the year in January-March 2010 to 6.8 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 13.1% in January-March 2011 on the year; prices rose 13.2% in March 2011 on the year and 0.82% from February 2011.

Cigarette prices increased 5.6% on the year in January-March 2011. Prices rose 5.8% on the year in March 2011.