Prices steady in December

Alcohol prices remained steady overall in December 2016 compared with December 2015 according to recently-released CSO figures with a 0.7% drop in prices compared to the previous month, November 2016 and a 1.0% drop in prices across the three-month period.

Off-trade alcohol prices showed a drop of 2.9% in the year to December comprising a 2.2% drop in spirits prices, a 3.0% drop in wine prices and a 3.3% drop in beer prices.

In December, a monthly fall of 3.7% in prices was recorded compared to November 2016 which comprised a fall of 3.8% in spirits prices, a fall of 5.2% in wine prices and 1.4% in beer prices.

Prices in the on-trade showed growth of 1.1% over the year to December comprising a rise in spirits prices of 1.5%, a rise in wine, soft drinks & mineral water prices of 1.1% and a 0.9% rise in beer prices.

Compared to November 2016, December 2016 prices in the on-trade were up 0.3% comprising a 0.4% increase in spirits prices, a 0.3% increase in wine as well as soft drinks & beer prices and a 0.2% increase in beer prices.