Spirits growth rate overtakes beer in Canada

Canadian consumers are drinking more spirits and less beer as the category grew 2.9% last year, according to new data released by Statistics Canada.

The growth rate of spirits grew 2.9% in Canada during the fiscal year ending 31 March 2013

The government agency found that beer and liquor stores and agencies sold CAD$21.4 billion worth of alcoholic beverages during the fiscal year ending 31 March 2013, up 2.2% from the previous year.

In particular, the growth rate of spirits outpaced beer, growing 2.9% while beer declined 0.1%.

Overall, Statistics Canada reported that despite this growth, which is coupled with a 4.9% growth rate for wine, sales of alcoholic beverages slowed in Canada.

Liquor stores and agencies sold CAD$5.4 billion worth of spirits during the year ending March 31, 2013, up 2.9% from the previous year.

This gain was seen to be the result of higher sales of liqueurs ( up 9.5%), rum (up 4.1%) and vodka (up 3.9%).

The volume of spirits sold rose 2.7% in 2013 to 222.4 million litres, while sales of domestic spirits totalled 148.0 million litres, up 2.2%, but slower than the 3.8% increase in imported spirits.

Imports of spirits have been increasing for several years, rising from 26% in 2003 to 33% in 2013, accounting for one-third of the market share of spirits in Canada.

In terms of dollar value, the largest share of imported spirits sold came from the US (27.3%), followed by the UK (27.3%). Whisky categories including Scotch and Bourbon accounted for 27% of total spirits sales in 2013, followed by vodka (24%) and rum (17%).

On a per-capita basis, spirits sales amounted to 7.6 litres per person in 2013, up 0.1 litres per person from 2003. The market share of spirits was unchanged at 25% in 2013 compared with 2003.