OREANDA-NEWS. May 31, 2011. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-April 2011, and sales of cigarettes increased, too, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-April 2011 reached 1.933 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 10.5% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 3.183 million decaliters, up 9.5% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 24.6% year-on-year in January-April to 9.952 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 6.7% on the year in January-April 2010 to 6.9 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 13.4% in January-April 2011 on the year; prices rose 14.5% in April 2011 on the year and 1.8% from March 2011.

Cigarette prices increased 5.8% on the year in January-April 2011. Prices rose 6.4% on the year in April 2011 and 0.7% on the month.