OREANDA-NEWS. December 13, 2012. Sales of alcoholic beverages declined in Belarus year-on-year in January-October 2012, while cigarette sales expanded, according to official statistics.

Sales of alcoholic beverages in terms of 100% alcohol reduced 7.4% year on year in January-October 2012 to 8.031 million dal, while tobacco sales grew 2.9% year on year to 23.4 billion units.

Sales of beer increased 1.2% year-on-year in January-October to 29.178 million decaliters.

Retail sales of alcohol and beer in January-October 2012 reached 13.2 trillion Belarusian rubles (USD 1.551 billion), 10.6% of the total retail turnover.

Alcohol prices increased 2.37 times year-on-year in January-October 2012; prices rose 93.3% on the year in October 2012 and 2.5% on the month.

Vodka prices rose 2.52 times in Jan-Oct 2012 on the year, wine prices – up 86.8%, beer prices – up 2.29 times.

Cigarette prices increased 78.3% on the year in January-October 2012. Prices rose 25.4% on the year in October 2012 and 4.2% on the month.