Alcohol sales fall 30% during Covid-19

Despite the high levels of sales activity in the off-trade, overall alcohol sales have fallen by around 30% during Ireland’s Covid-19 lockdown, according to industry estimates.

Drinks Ireland, the Ibec group that represents drinks manufacturers, brand owners and distributors on the island of Ireland, has clarified that the on-trade usually accounts for 55% of total alcohol sales but with its closure, “…as expected, we have seen a rise in off-trade sales but this increase in no way compensates for the loss in sales associated with the on-trade being closed” stated Drinks Ireland Director Patricia Callan, “so overall we estimate that alcohol consumption in Ireland could be down by around 30%.

“In addition, the global closure of the on-trade has imposed severe commercial pressures on businesses in the Irish drinks industry who typically export €1.4 billion of products annually.

“The hospitality sector has been hit hard by this pandemic, with jobs at risk and livelihoods shattered as a result of the on-trade being closed. The drinks industry is doing its part to help this sector, making donations to support unemployed bar workers. It has also joined the national effort to respond to the Covid-19 crisis in many different ways, including through producing sanitising products.”