Cyprus beer consumption down in Jan-July

A 10.9% fall in tourist arrivals has taken its toll on consumption of locally produced beer in Cyprus, with local consumption in January-July 2009 down 11.9% over the same period of the previous year according to Financial Mirror calculations, at 21.2 mln litres.
Exports of beer, which include supplies to aeroplanes and ships, fared even worse, falling by 54.1% to 346,475 litres.
Total issuance of beer was thus down 13.2% at 21.6 mln in January-July.
Similarly, issues of locally produced soft drinks were also down, but not by as much, perhaps because locals lean more towards soft drinks than beer.
Total issues of soft drinks fell in January-July by 5.3% compared with the year earlier according to Financial Mirror calculations, at 34.3 mln litres.
Issues of bottled drinks were down 30.6% at 30.6%, while issues of “postmix” (drinks on tap) were down 20.1% at 3.8 mln litres.