The volume of pre-mixed ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol available for consumption in New Zealand has increased by 0.1% to 62 million liters in 2012, compared to 2011 figures, according to government department and national statistical office - Statistics New Zealand Tatauranga Aotearoa.
The volume of entire alcoholic beverages available for consumption fell by 3.3% in 2012, as against the figures of 2011. The decrease in volume was mainly due to fall in volume of beer, which was down by 20 million liters in 2012. This decrease in volume of beer was offset by 4.3 million liters rise in volume of wine.
Along with wine, high-alcoholic beverages like spirits and spirit-based drinks accounted for smaller fall in the overall pure alcohol available.
Statistics New Zealand industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said though the volume of alcoholic beverages was down, the amount of pure alcohol fell by only 0.6%.
"This was due to change in the types of beverages available," Holmes-Oliver added.
The alcohol statistics show how much alcohol is available for consumption, but not the actual alcohol consumption.
