Spirits available for consumption rose to 100 million litres and 20 percent of total alcohol available for consumption in 2021, Stats NZ reported this week.
“The total volume of spirits available for consumption rose 11.6% in 2021, making it the seventh annual rise in a row,” international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.
The volume of spirit-based drinks, such as ready-to-drink or RTD beverages, rose 13.6% to a total of 84 million litres. This followed a 5.4% increase in 2020, and a 5.8% increase in 2019.
Overall, the total volume of alcoholic beverages available for consumption was little changed, up 0.8% to 499 million litres.
- The volume of beer fell 0.3% to 292 million litres.
- The volume of wine fell 5.0% to 107 million litres.
- The volume of spirits (including spirit-based drinks) rose 12% to 100 million litres.
- The equivalent total volume of pure alcohol in all alcoholic beverages for consumption rose 0.7%.
Comparing 2006 to 2021
As a proportion of the total volume of alcoholic beverages available for consumption, between 2006 and 2021:
- beer decreased from 67% to 59%
- wine increased from 20% to 22%
- spirits and spirit-based drinks increased from 13% to 20%
