Local spirits market, down to EUR 500 mln because of recession

Consumption of spirits in Romania has decreased this year to 5 liters per capita from 6 liters per capita last year because of the recession, said Romulus Dascalu, head of the Garant employers’ association in the industry, quoted by newswire Mediafax. Dascalu said the consumption of spirits was at 8.5 liters per capita in 2008, decreased to 6 liters per capita in 2009 and estimates for this year indicate a decrease to 5 liters per capita. "For this year, we estimate a consumption of 90-100 million liters, down 15-20 percent compared to last year, at some EUR 500 million. In 2009 we saw a decrease of over 25% in consumption," said Dascalu. He added prices for spirits increased 5-7 percent this year, as the Romanian leu depreciated against the euro. "Because of the crisis, people have switched to making their own spirits and next year will be just as bad because the spirits market evolves at the same rate as the general economy," Dascalu said. Mediafax