Greece alcohol consumption halves in five years

Alcohol sales in Greece have almost halved since the start of the recession, with total consumption dropping to less than 1.2 million litres.

Volume sales of alcohol in Greece have fallen by 45% since the start of the recession

New figures released by Greek newspaper Kathimerini, since the start of the recession, alcohol volumes have dropped by 45% since 2008, when volumes sat at 2.26 million litres.

Whisky and national spirit ouzo were seen to have experienced the most significant declines in the period.

While last year’s decline was the smallest since 2008, figures show that on-going economic difficulties combined with tax hikes in the country has led to a trend of austerity among drinkers.

Kathimerini reports that a “special tax” placed in alcohol has increased by 125% since 2009, ramping up the average imported spirits cost to an average €25.50 per litre and local spirits to an average €12.75 per litre.

However, a growth in ouzo exports helped drive a 1% overall alcohol sales increase in Greece last year, balancing declined domestic interest in the spirit.

The Spirits Business reported earlier this year that Scotch whisky shipments to Greece fell 21% in volume and 30% in value in 2012 as the affects of the double-dip recession continued to bite.