OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2011. Sales of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes in Belarus increased year-on-year in January-June 2011, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-June 2011 reached 3.233 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), 10.4% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 5.11 million decaliters, up 12.7% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 22.8% year-on-year in January-June to 16.617 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 6.5% on the year in January-June 2011 to 11.5 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 17.8% in January-June 2011 on the year; prices rose 29.5% in June 2011 on the year and 5.4% from May 2011.

Cigarette prices increased 16.2% on the year in January-June 2011. Prices rose 67.3% on the year in June 2011 and 57.1% on the month.