Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Less alcohol produced

Updated at 3:20 pm on 25 February 2013

New figures show 15 million litres less alcohol was produced or imported in 2012 compared to the year before.

Statistics New Zealand says the 3% drop was due to a fall in the volume of beer available for purchase, down 20 million litres.

However, an increase in the volume of higher-alcohol beverages, such as wine and spirits, meant the amount of pure alcohol available was down by only 0.6% to 33 million litres.

That's more 9.3 litres of pure alcohol for every person aged 15 years and over - or an average of two standard drinks per person per day.

The figures exclude beverages produced by households.

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