DUBLIN: Statistics show that alcohol consumption in Ireland has declined as part of the closure of pubs and restaurants due to the COVID-19 restrictions. According to figures released by Revenue, per capita alcohol consumption fell by 6.6% last year due to restrictions.
It was around this time last year that pubs in Ireland were ordered to close in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pubs that serve food were allowed to open late June, but pubs that do not serve food-wet pubs-had to wait a couple of months.
Wet pubs in most parts of the country opened in September, but had to close in mid – October as the country re-entered the lockdown. Since then, pubs have not been able to open in the last year. According to Revenue, this led to an overall decrease of 5.1% in the total volume of alcohol consumed in 2020.
Beer consumption decreased by 17.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, while cider consumption decreased by 11.4%. Spirit consumption increased slightly, by 0.7%. The amount of wine consumption also increased, by 12%.
Drinks Ireland, representing Irish alcoholic drink producers and suppliers, claims that this rise in wine sales reflects the general trend that most wine sales are driven by off-license trade.
There is a false propaganda that the alcohol consumption increased during the lockdown last year. But Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland, said these revenue figures make it clear that this is not true.
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