Ireland: Beer and cider consumption sees most dramatic decline last year

New provisional data from Revenue shows that alcohol consumption in Ireland fell by 4.7% between 2020 and 2021 as the hospitality sector endured strict lockdowns in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19, RTE reported on March 23.

Alcohol consumption saw a fall of 9.6% between 2019 and 2021, which Drinks Ireland said showed the true impact of Covid related restrictions and closures on hospitality venues.

Beer and cider consumption saw the most dramatic declines due to their popularity in pub trade. Beer consumption fell by 18.3% between 2019 and 2021 and cider was down by 15.1%.

Meanwhile, wine consumption was down by 13.1% between 2020 and 2021 and by 2.7% between 2019 and 2021.

Spirits consumption remained relatively static, rising marginally by 1.9% between 2019 and 2021.

Drinks Ireland said that people have progressively been drinking less since 2001.

It noted that alcohol consumption is now at its lowest level in 20 years and has fallen by about 30% since 2001.

Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland, said today's data shows the continued decline in alcohol consumption in Ireland, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.

"The industry has worked hard to continue to tackle alcohol misuse. The growing trend we see at home and in other established international markets is people choosing to drink quality over quantity, which we welcome and will continue to encourage," Ms Callan added.