Alcohol prices down 0.7%

Overall annual alcohol prices fell 0.7% in December reflecting a price reduction of 0.8% on the November 2015 figure and a 1.5% reduction in the three months October to December when compared with the previous July to September period.

According to CSO figures, off-trade alcohol prices were down 3.9% in December 2015 compared with December 2014 and they were down 3.0% compared to November 2015.

This comprised a 08% reduction in spirits prices, a 6.4% reduction in wine prices and a 1.5% reduction in beer prices over the course of the year to December.

Off-trade prices for spirits were down 4.7% compared to the previous month, November, while they were down 4.6% for wine and 0.3% for beer during this time,

Prices in licensed premises showed a rise of 0.5% compared to December 2014 comprising a rise of 0.7% in spirits prices, a rise of 0.6% in wine prices, a rise of 0.3% in beer prices and a rise of 0.6% in soft drinks & mineral water prices.

Compared with the previous month, November 2015, prices in licensed premises remained on par although there was a 0.2% rise in spirits and soft drinks & mineral water prices accompanied by a 0.1% fall in beer prices.