Beer exports increased by 70% in 2011

RIGA - Last year, Latvian breweries increased export volumes by 70 percent when compared to 2010, the business information portal Nozare.lv was informed by joint-stock brewing company ''Aldaris'' spokeswoman Laura Krastina.

''The tough economic circumstances have forced breweries to improve their financial figures by concentrating more on exporting their products,'' said Krastina.

She pointed out that almost 90 percent of this beer was exported to Lithuania and Estonia last year. On the other hand, the remaining beer was exported to such countries as Ireland, Great Britain, the United States and Canada.

According to market data, beer consumption in Latvia in 2010 was at around 70 liters per person. This increased to about 81 liters per person in 2011. Thus, Latvia is nearing the beer consumption levels of Lithuania and Estonia - 83.4 liters and 85.4 liters per person respectively.