OREANDA-NEWS. June 6, 2012. Sales of alcoholic beverages declined in Belarus year-on-year in January-April 2012, while cigarette sales expanded, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcohol and beer in January-April 2011 reached 4.4 trillion Belarusian rubles (USD 535.932 million), 10.4% of the total retail turnover.

Sales of hard drinks reached 3.052 million decaliters, down 2.4% year-on-year.

Sales of beer increased 1.2% year-on-year in January-April to 9.92 million decaliters.

Sales of cigarettes rose 7.8% on the year in January-April 2012 to 8.2 billion units.

Alcohol prices increased 2.5 fold year-on-year in January-April 2011; prices rose 2.6 times in April 2012 on the year and 5.6% from March 2012.

Cigarette prices increased 2.4 times on the year in January-April 2012. Prices rose 140% on the year in April 2012 and 0.2% on the month.